Cell Organelles

The Parts Inside of a Cell

A Look Inside the Cell Each cell contains smaller parts

Organelle = tiny cell structure that carries out a specific function within the cell

Surrounding the Cell

Cell Membrane (a.k.a. Plasma Membrane)

Outer membrane of cell that controls what comes into and out of the cell

Allows good stuff in and lets wastes out of cell

“gateway” of the cell

Cell Membrane is a screen What does a window screen do? What things are kept out of a window

screen? What things can get in a window screen? A screen is similar to the cell membrane in

a cell.

Cell Wall Not all cells have cell

wall! Most commonly found

in plant cells & bacteria

Not in animal cells Supports & protects

cells

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

Inside the Cell – The Center

Nucleus

Cell’s control center – directs cell’s activities

Separated from the rest of the cell by nuclear membrane

Contains genetic material – DNA BRAIN of the cell

Inside the Cell – In the Cytoplasm

Cytoplasm Gel-like mixture that constantly moves Between cell membrane and nucleus Holds organelles Site for chemical reactions

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Moves materials around in cell

Smooth type: lacks ribosomes

Rough type (pictured): ribosomes embedded in surface

Like the highway system for the cell

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

Ribosomes Make proteins Each cell contains

thousands Found on endoplasmic

reticulum & floating throughout the cell

“Factories” for the cell

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

Mitochondria Convert energy in food

molecules (sugars) to energy (ATP) the cell can use to carry out its activities

“Powerhouse” or “Energy Plant” of cell

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

Golgi Bodies or Golgi Apparatus Looks like stacked

“pancakes” Protein 'packaging

plant' Move materials within

the cell Move materials out of

the cell Like the “UPS store”

for the cell

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

Lysosome Contains chemicals that

breaks down some materials in cell

“janitor” for the cell

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

Vacuoles Provide storage for

cell Store materials

needed for cell Also store wastes for

cell

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

Chloroplast Usually found in plant

cells (Autotrophs) Contains green

chlorophyll Where photosynthesis

takes place Captures energy from

sunlight to make energy for cell

http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html