1. Mitochondria Mitochondria are often referred to as the powerhouse of the cell. They are small structures within a cell that are made up of two membranes and a matrix. The membrane is where the chemical reactions occur and the matrix is where the fluid is held. Mitochondria are needed in plants and animals to make energy.

2. Cell Membrane A cell membrane is a barrier that offers protection, like a rubber membrane that keeps rain from seeping under your roof. A cell membrane surrounds and protects the contents of all cells. It controls which substances can enter and exit the cell. The membrane also gives a cell its shape and enables the cell to attach to other cells, forming tissues.

3. Cell Wall The cell wall is the protective, semi- permeable outer layer of a plant cell. A major function of the cell wall is to give the cell strength and structure, and to filter molecules that pass in and out of the cell.

4. Nucleus A nucleus is often called the brain, or control center, of a eukaryotic cell (that is, a cell with a nucleus). Plant and animal cells are eukaryotic.

5. Cytoplasm Living things are made up of cells, and within every eukaryotic cell is a nucleus. Everything else contained within the cell walls (all the organelles) are floating in a jelly like substance called cytoplasm.

6. Chloroplast The chloroplast is the place in a plant cell where photosynthesis happens. Your rose bushes have chloroplasts, but you don’t.

7. Central Vacuole Vacuoles are found in both plant and animal cells, but the Central Vacuole is a giant one found only in plant cells. A vacuole is a fluid-filled pocket in the cell's cytoplasm that serves varying functions depending on the cell's requirements, but most commonly serves to store nutrients, water, or waste products. The Central Vacuole stores water in the plant cell and helps the plant stand straight by providing turgor pressure.