Prokaryotic Cell Structures

Pseudopod – For movement and manipulation – Made of an extension of the cell membrane – Looks like a bulge or tentacle or extension of the cell membrane &feature=player_embedded 394&feature=player_embedded

Cilia For movement, either moving a cell through something, or something past a cell. Made of groups of proteins working like tiny oars. Looks like tiny hairs growing out of the cell. w7U&feature=player_embedded w7U&feature=player_embedded

Flagellum For movement A long “tail” that spins like a propeller to push a cell forward. Looks like a long whip or tail extending from the cell. QWk&feature=player_embedded QWk&feature=player_embedded

Cell Wall For protection, structure and to prevent materials from entering or leaving the cell. Made of tough inflexible plates made of a kind of sugar, with some pores (a small hole) to allow materials in and out. Can make a cell look boxy or rigid. pZE&feature=player_embedded pZE&feature=player_embedded

Cell Membrane For protection, and to regulate what enters and leaves the cell. The cellular “skin.” Is made of a flexible sheet of fats and phosphorous. Looks like a thin translucent sheet with large molecules stuck through and on it. qpg&feature=player_embedded qpg&feature=player_embedded

Cell Surface Transport Protein A large molecule that helps substances move in and out through the cellular membrane. Found on the cell surface.

Cytoplasm or Cytosol A thick fluid made mostly of water. Acts as the transport medium for nutrients and cellular machinery. Like the “blood” of a cell.

Ribosome A large protein factory made of 4 smaller molecules of RNA. It converts information in RNA into chains of amino acids known as proteins. /watch?v=q_n0Ij3K_Ho& feature=player_embedde d /watch?v=q_n0Ij3K_Ho& feature=player_embedde d

Thylakoid Membrane For photosynthesis A second membrane inside a cell where several enzymes use energy from light to create cellular fuel. Look like bright green discs.

Chromosome Stores genetic information needed to build proteins. Is made of connected segments of DNA Looks like a loop of DNA, sometimes clumped together in a bundle.

Endocytosis A process where the cell membrane surrounds something in order to move it inside the cell. The membrane surrounds the object, and pinches shut to create a pocket. The pocket opens on the inside of the cell membrane, releasing the object. qpw2p1x9Cic qpw2p1x9Cic

Exocytosis A process where the cell membrane surrounds something in order to move it outside the cell. The membrane surrounds the object, and pinches shut to create a pocket. The pocket opens on the outside of the cell membrane, releasing the object. qpw2p1x9Cic qpw2p1x9Cic

Passive transport When materials are allowed to move in or out of a cell without using energy.

Active Transport When a cell uses energy to move substances into, out of, or around inside itself.

Photosynthesis A process that uses light energy to actively transport substances across the Thylakoid Membrane. As these substances are passively transported back, they provide energy to create cellular fuel.