Cell Organelles
Organelles are structures within the cytoplasm of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells that perform specific functions
| Structure | Description | Primary Function(s) | Found in which cells? |
| Cell Wall | Rigid, protective outer layer Made up of CELLULOSE (fiber), a carbohydrate | Provide support and protection for the cell | PLANTS BACTERIA |
| Cell Membrane | Flexible, thin outer layer surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell Made up of phospholipids | Allow substances in/out of the cell Encloses the cell | PLANTS ANIMALS BACTERIA |
| Cytoplasm | Area inside the membrane where all organelles are found Made up of cytosol - jelly-like fluid (mostly water) | Hold organelles Contain nutrients to be used by organelles | PLANTS ANIMALS BACTERIA |
| Cytoskeleton | Physical framework of the cell Made up of microtubules & microfilaments, protein fibers that form a “skeleton” for the cell Kind of like bridge with many strings holding it up | Helps cell maintain its shape, allows for cell and organelle movement | PLANTS ANIMALS BACTERIA |
| Nucleus | Control center of the cell Made up of: Nuclear envelope - membrane containing NUCLEAR PORES - openings that allow substances to move in/out of the nucleus Nucleolus - produces ribosomes | Contains DNA (regulates gene expression) Controls which proteins the cell makes | PLANTS ANIMALS |
| Large Central Vacuole | Large membrane-bound sac Can take up to 80% of the cell | Store water Helps plant maintain its structure Used in endo & exocitosis Empty vacuole = deflated cell | PLANTS |
| Chloroplasts | Organelle involved in photosynthesis Made up of thylakoids - structures inside the chloroplast that contain chlorophyll, green pigment molecules that absorb light energy | Photosynthesis - the process where plants turn light energy into sugar (food) takes place here | PLANTS |
Types of Cells: A = Animal (eukaryote) P = Plant (eukaryote) B = Bacteria (prokaryote)
More Cell Organelles (Part II)
| Structure | Description | Primary Function(s) | Found in which cells? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vesicles | Small membrane bound sacs or vesicles, transport vehicles | Store food, water, waste Transport things throughout the cell | **ANIMALS ** |
| Lysosomes | A specialized vesicle that contains Enzymes, proteins that break down macromolecules & old, worn out, broken cell parts Suicide sac | “Digestive system” of the cell - digestive Enzymes “Clean up” crew Results in apoptosis - cell digests itself | ANIMALS |
| Ribosomes | Cell’s protein factory DOES NOT have a membrane Found… On nuclear envelope On rough ER Floating in the cytoplasm | build proteins | PLANTS ANIMALS BACTERIA |
| Mitochondria | Organelle involved in energy production | Use Glucose to produce energy for the cell The more activity the cell does, mitochondria Make their own DNA Are believed to have been bacteria at one point Make ATP Reproduce on their own | PLANTS ANIMALS |
| Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) | System of 2 parts: ROUGH ER - studded with ribosomes, looks like sheets SMOOTH ER - no ribosomes, tube-like structures | ROUGH ER - Creates and packages proteins SMOOTH ER - - Produces lipids and detoxifies drugs/poisons Alcoholic (people) - more smooth ER Transports material in a vesicle to golgi body | PLANTS ANIMALS |
| Golgi Apparatus (Golgi Body) | Made up of vesicles Kinda like pita stacked | Package and transport materials (like macromolecules) throughout the cell (UPS) Produces lysosomes (a specific type of vesicle) | PLANTS ANIMALS |
| Centrioles | Spindle-shaped, 90 degree angle to each other | Help with cell division | ANIMALS |