1. A Tour of The Cell Catherine Lee Laura Pruden

2. Cell Membrane The cell membranes main purpose if to protect the cell. It also provides a passageway across the membrane for certain molecules. Membranes are important for the function of the cell.

3. Cytoplasm The cytoplasm is everything from the cell membrane to the nuclear envelope. It consists mostly of water and is referred to as a “jelly-like substance.’

4. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (E.R) The endoplasmic reticulum is made up of a folded membrane and provides a tubular transport system inside the cell. The rough E.R. is covered in ribosomes and functions in the synthesis and transport of proteins.

5. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (E.R) The smooth endoplasmic reticulum is smooth because it is missing ribosomes. It functions in the synthesis of lipids and transports proteins.

6. Mitochondria Mitochondria are the energy source of the cell and contain cristae needed for aerobic respiration.

7. Vacuole Vacuoles play a role in intracellular digestion and the release of cellular waste products. Vacuoles are from the cell membrane and move in and out of the cell.

8. Golgi Apparatus The golgi apparatus is composed of flattened sacs and it packages the cell products to export them from the cell. It also functions in the modification of lipids and proteins.

9. Lysosomes Lysosomes contain powerful enzymes to break up old cell components and bacteria. They are referred to as the “garbage disposals” of the cell.

10. Celia and Flagella Celia function to move a cell of group of cells or to transport fluid or materials past them. Flagella create water currents necessary for respiration. Celia and Flagella are essential for the locomotion of individual organisms.

11. Nuclear Membrane The nuclear membrane protects the nucleus. It has two special layers and nuclear pores and permit only certain substances to enter and leave the nucleus.

12. Nucleus The nucleus is considered the “brain” of the cell. It is usually round and the largest organelle in the cell. The nucleus houses DNA and has three main parts; the nucleolus, the nuclear envelope and chromatin. It is the most important organelle in a cell.

13. Cell cycle The cell undergoes a sequence of activities during its development from stem to fully differentiated called the cell cycle. There are six phases; interphase, the gap 0, the G1, S phase, Gap 2, and the M phase.

14. Stem Cells Stem cells serve as a sort of repair system for the body, making it able to replenish other cells, as long as the person or animal are alive. When stem cells divide they have the option to remain a stem cell of become another cell with a different function.