Looking Inside Cells

Cell Wall

Description: strong, stiff layer outside of the cell membrane

Function: protects and supports the cell

Only in plant cells

Cell Membrane

Description: elastic and flexible layer that surrounds the cell – has small openings called pores

Function: controls what goes in and out of the cell - “doorway of the cell”

Found in both

Nucleus

Description: circle or oval - surrounded by the nuclear membrane

Function:“The Control Center” or “brain” of the cell that holds the DNA and directs all of the cell’s activities

Found in both

chromosomes

Description: shaped like an “X” - found in the nucleus- made of DNA

Function: passes on traits to the new cell

Found in both

Nuclear Membrane

Description: layer that surrounds the nucleus and has pores

Function: controls what goes in and out of the nucleus – “doorway of the nucleus”

Found in both

Nucleolus

Description: small, round object in the nucleus

Function: where ribosomes are made

Found in both

Cytoplasm

Description: clear, thick, gel-like fluid

Function: holds the organelles in place

Found in both

Mitochondria

Description: rod or oval shaped with a folded line inside

Function: “The Powerhouse” – it produces the energy the cell needs

Found in both

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Description: clear tubes that make a maze of passageways

Function: carry materials from one place to another -the “transportation system”

Found in both

Ribosomes

Description: small circles – attached to the ER or floating in the cytoplasm

Function: makes proteins – “factory”

Found in both

Golgi Bodies

Description: stack of pancakes – flattened tubes

Function: receives, packages, and sends out materials -acts like a “post office”

Found in both

Chloroplasts

Description: green ovals(they are green because of chlorophyll)

Function: traps energy from the sun to produce food for the plant cell

Only in plants

Vacuoles

Description: small and round in animal cells and one large oval (foot) in plant cells

Function: stores water, food , and wastes - the “storage area”

Found in both (but they are different size and shape)

Lysosomes

Description: small and round

Function: to break down food and destroy old cells - “Clean-up Crew” – garbage disposal

Found in animal cells and rare in plant cells

Animal Cell

Nucleus

Nucleolus

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

Ribosomes

Golgi Bodies

Mitochondria

Cell Membrane

Cytoplasm

Plant Cell

Cell Membrane

Vacuole

Chloroplasts

Cell Wall

Nucleolus

Nucleus

Rough ER

Smooth ER

Golgi Bodies

Mitochondria

Ribosomes

Cytoplasm

What is an organelle?

A tiny structure that has a specific function in the cell

What organelles are found in the cytoplasm?• Mitochondria

• ER• Ribosomes• Golgi bodies• Chloroplasts• Vacuoles• lysosomes

• Now let’s talk about structures only found in PLANT Cells!!

• Answer: cell wall and chloroplasts

ANY QUESTIONS?