Parts of a Cell

Cell Wall

Found only in plant cells

Gives support to a cell

Made of complex sugars called cellulose

Cell Membrane

All cells have a membraneProtective barrier that encloses a cellIn a plant cell, the membrane is JUST inside the cell wall. In animal cells, the membrane is the outermost layerContains proteins, lipids and phospholipidsDecides what goes in and out of the cell-nutrients goes in, waste goes outProtects the cell from the outside environment

Cytoskeleton

Web of proteins in the cytoplasm

Acts as a muscle and a skeleton

Keeps the membrane from collapsing

Helps some cells moveThis picture shows a cell with cytoskeleton

Nucleus

Large organelle

Contains the cell’s DNA (which is information on how to make a cell’s proteins-proteins control chemical reactions in a cell)

Nucleus is covered by two membranes

“Control center” of the cell

A nucleus could contain a nucleolus which is where a cell begins to make ribosomes

Ribosomes

Organells that make up protein

Smallest of all organelles

Not covered by a membrane

Proteins made within the ribosomes

All cells have ribosomes

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Many chemical reactions take place here

Nicknamed ER-is a system of folded membranes in which proteins, lipids, and other materials are made

It’s either rough ER or smooth ER

Rough ER is covered in ribosomes-usually found near the nucleus

Smooth ER makes lipids, and breaks down toxic materials that could damage the cell

Mitochondria

Main power source of the cell

This is where sugar is broken down to produce energy

Covered by 2 membranes

Energy released by mitochodria is stores in ATP

Most ATP is made in the inner membrane of mitochondria

The are the size of bacteria

Chloroplasts

Found in plant and algae cells

Organells in which photosynthesis takes place

Have 2 membranes and their own DNA

Chloroplasts are green (because they contain chlorophyll which is a green pigment)

Golgi Complex

Packages and distributes proteins

Looks like smooth ER

Lipids and proteins from the ER are sent to the Golgi Complex where the lipids and proteins are assigned to do different jobs

Processes and transports proteins and other materials OUT of the cell

Vesicle

Bubble that forms from the Golgi complex is a vesicleA vesicle is a small sac that surrounds material to be moved into OR out of the cellAll eukaryotic cells have vesiclesAlso move materials within a cellDifferent vesicles have different jobs

Lysosomes

Vesicles responsible for digestion in a cell

Contain digestive enzymes

Destroy worn-out organelles, get rid of waste, and protect the cell from foreign invaders

Found mainly in animal cells

Vacuoles

Another type of vesicleIn plants and fungi, some vacuoles act as lysosomes-they store digestive enzymes and aid in digestionThe central vacuole in plant cells store water and other liquidsSome plants wilt when their central vacuole loses water

Animal Cell

Plant Cell