Cell Research Quest!

What is a Cell? A cell is the smallest unit of life. Your body is made up of trillions of cells with each one working hard to produce proteins. These proteins are used as building blocks for many different things. For example, your hair and nails are made up of a special protein made by cells. However, in order to carry out this important task, cells are made of tiny structures that work together. These tiny structures are called organelles.

This cell part is just like… CELL MEMBRANE Organelle Plant, Animal, or Both? Function This cell part is just like… Cell Membrane Both Surrounds the outside of the cell. Controls what substances can enter and exit the cell Gatekeeper

This cell part is just like… CELL WALL Organelle Plant, Animal, or Both? Function This cell part is just like… Cell Wall Plant Surrounds the cell membrane ;It is a tough and rigid covering made of cellulose Gives a plant shape, support, and protection Tough, Outer Fence

This cell part is just like… CYTOPLASM (Cytosol) Organelle Plant, Animal, or Both? Function This cell part is just like… Cytoplasm (cytosol) Both Jelly-like fluid in cell Holds all other organelles in place Jell-O

This cell part is just like… NUCLEUS Organelle Plant, Animal, or Both? Function This cell part is just like… Nucleus Both The nucleus is protected by a nuclear membrane. This membrane protects the nucleus allowing certain materials to enter and exit through pores. Nucleus controls and directs all of the cell’s activities The nucleus also protects a cell’s genetic material called chromatin. Another word for chromatin is DNA. DNA contains all the instructions for how a cell should grow and what proteins it should make. Brain

This cell part is just like… NUCLEOLUS Organelle Plant, Animal, or Both? Function This cell part is just like… Nucleolus Both Dark region inside the nucleus The site where ribosomes are made Center of tootsie roll pop

This cell part is just like… RIBOSOMES Organelle Plant, Animal, or Both? Function This cell part is just like… Ribosome Both Small, grain-like bodies floating in the cytoplasm or attached to the Endoplasmic Reticulum Responsible for making proteins Factory Worker

Endoplasmic Reticulum Organelle Plant, Animal, or Both? Function This cell part is just like… ER Both A maze of tube-like membranes. Rough ER: studded with ribosomes Smooth ER: does not have ribosomes Rough ER: Acts as a passageway for protein material sending it to the Golgi body Smooth ER: Acts as a passageway for non-protein material (fats and carbohydrates) Subway Tunnel

This cell part is just like… GOLGI BODY Organelle Plant, Animal, or Both? Function This cell part is just like… Golgi body Both Flattened stacks of membrane (looks like pita bread) Works to package, tag, and ship a protein to its destination inside or outside of the cell. Mailroom

This cell part is just like… VESICLE Organelle Plant, Animal, or Both? Function This cell part is just like… Vesicle Both Small membrane sacs Transports proteins from one part of the cell to another Factory Car

This cell part is just like… VACUOLE Organelle Plant, Animal, or Both? Function This cell part is just like… Vacuole Both Plants –Have 1 large vacuole filled with mostly water Animals – Have many smaller vacuoles filled with food Plant = Swimming Pool Animal=Refrigerator

This cell part is just like… LYSOSOME Organelle Plant, Animal, or Both? Function This cell part is just like… Lysosomes Both Small membrane sacs Contains special chemicals to digest food, old cell parts, or waste Garbage Disposal

This cell part is just like… MITOCHONDRIA Organelle Plant, Animal, or Both? Function This cell part is just like… Mitochondria Both A jelly-bean structure with an outer membrane and inner membrane which is folded. Produces usable energy for the cell by breaking down sugar called glucose (powerhouse of the cell) Battery

This cell part is just like… CHLOROPLAST Organelle Plant, Animal, or Both? Function This cell part is just like… Chloroplast Plant Only A green, jelly-bean structure with an outer and inner membrane Captures sunlight and uses it to produce food (glucose) for a plant cell Solar panel