By Elisabeth Cortez

So what is an animal cell anyway?

• An animal cell is a type of cell with no cell wall that performs the basic life functions of any being in the animal kingdom

Nucleus

• The nucleus is the main control center of the cell. It contains DNA and tells all other organelles what to do.

Nucleolus

• The nucleolus is surrounded by the nuclear membrane, and produces deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

Cell Membrane

• The cell membrane is the ‘gatekeeper’ for the cell. It keeps good things in and bad things out. When a cell gets infected, the cell membrane may dissolve.

Mitochondria

• The mitochondria is the main energy factory for the cell. It turns raw energy into usable proteins.

Ribosomes

• Ribosomes are the smallest organelle. They, along with the mitochondria, produce proteins for the cell.

Golgi Body

• The Golgi body is the ‘UPS’ for the cell. It transports nutrients and wastes into or out of the cell.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

• The endoplasmic reticulum, or ER, is directly attached to the nucleus, and serves to transport ribosomes to different parts of the cell.

Lysosomes

• Lysosomes are the cleaners of a cell. Sac-like in form, they digest wastes, as well as other dead cells.

Vacuole

• The vacuole, found predominantly in plant cells, holds water and other fluids to prevent dehydration in the cell.

Cytoplasm

• Cytoplasm is a jelly-like fluid that holds all the organelles together in a cell.

IN REVIEW!!!

• A cell is a living thing that holds all the necessary elements for life. There are several types of cells, but all of them have at least some of these organelles in common. Thank you for listening!

Bibliography

• CellsAlive!.com

• Biology.utah.edu (pictures)

• Science textbook

• Mr. Streich’s lovely class notes

That’s a Wrap!

• Thanks again!