Organelles

Cell Wall Location

Prokaryotic – Bacteria and Eukaryotic – Plant

Cell Wall Description

*outer layer

*rigid, strong, stiff

*made of cellulose

Cell Wall Function

*Defensive structure that allows H2O, O2, CO2 to pass into and out of cell but not harmful materials like dirt, bacteria, and toxins

* Structural support

* Helps create turgor pressure (pressure created in a plant cell by water pushing against the cell wall and cell membrane) for a plant to help it remain standing or wilt

Plasma (Cell) Membrane Location

Prokaryotic – Bacteria

Eukaryotic – Plant &

Animal

Plasma (Cell) Membrane Description

Outer boundary of the cell

Made of a bilayer of lipids with proteins embedded

Plasma (Cell) Membrane Function

Selectively permeable (allows certain molecules in/out)

Small molecules like H₂O and O₂ pass directly

Larger molecules (e.g., glucose) require protein channels

Maintains homeostasis

Cytosol (Cytoplasm) Location

All cells (Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic)

Cytosol (Cytoplasm) Description

Jelly-like fluid fills the cell interior

Cytosol (Cytoplasm) Function

Site of many chemical reactions

Dissolves solutes (proteins, carbs, etc.)

Provides internal support/pressure

Organelles float and move in it (cytoplasmic streaming)

Cytoskeleton (Cytoplasm) Location

Eukaryotic – Plant & Animal

Cytoskeleton (Cytoplasm) Description

Network of protein fibers in the cytoplasm

Cytoskeleton (Cytoplasm) Function

Microtubule - hollow tubes for structure, movement, and spindle fibers

Microfilament - thin fibers for support and movement

Intermediate filament - provides strength and stability

Provides shape, structure, and internal organization. Aids in the movement of organelles

Ribosome Location

All cells (Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic)

Ribosome Description

Small dots, free-floating or attached to rough ER

Made of RNA and proteins

Ribosome Function

Site of protein synthesis

Link amino acids into polypeptide chains (translation)

Nucleus Location

Eukaryotic – Plant & Animal

Nucleus Description

Large round structure containing DNA

Nucleus Function

“Control center” or headquarters. Directs the activities of the cell

Nucleolus – makes ribosomes

Chromosomes - DNA instructions for proteins

Nuclear envelope (Membrane) Location

Eukaryotic – Plant & Animal (surrounds the nucleus; continuous with rough ER)

Nuclear envelope (Membrane) Description

Double phospholipid bilayer (inner & outer membranes)

Studded with nuclear pores (protein complexes)

Encloses the nucleoplasm and contents (chromatin + nucleolus)

Nuclear envelope (Membrane) Function

Protects DNA and separates nuclear processes from cytoplasm

Selectively regulates transport through nuclear pores:

Out: mRNA, tRNA, ribosomal subunits

In: proteins (e.g., transcription factors), nucleotides, enzymes

Continuous with rough ER; outer membrane can have ribosomes

Disassembles/reassembles during cell division (mitosis)

Helps maintain nuclear shape via the nuclear lamina (protein scaffold)

Endoplasmic reticulum Location 

Eukaryotic – Plant & Animal

Endoplasmic reticulum Description 

Network of tubes and membranes connected to the nucleus

Endoplasmic reticulum smooth Function 

no ribosomes, makes lipids, detoxifies toxins

Endoplasmic reticulum rough function

covered with ribosomes, transports proteins makes proteins

Golgi Apparatus Location

Eukaryotic – Plant & Animal

Golgi Apparatus Description

Stack of flattened membranes

Golgi Apparatus Function

Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins

Places proteins into vesicles for export

Vesicle - A Small membrane “envelope” that transports proteins and other molecules inside and outside the cell

Mitochondria Location

Eukaryotic – Plant & Animal

Mitochondria Description

Oval-shaped with a double membrane, inner folds (cristae)

Mitochondria Function

“Powerhouse of the cell” Performs cellular respiration → makes ATP (energy). Has its own DNA & ribosomes (supports endosymbiosis theory)

Matrix- internal fluid space

Inner membrane- site of ATP production

Vacuole Location 

Eukaryotic – Plant & Animal

Vacuole Description

Membrane-bound sac

Vacuole Function

Central – (Plants) Stores food, water, waste, pigments

Contractile – (Protists) pumps excess water out

Stores food, water, waste, pigments

Lysosome Location

Eukaryotic – mostly Animal (some plants)

Lysosome Description

Small vesicle filled with enzymes

Lysosome Function

Breaks down food into smaller molecules

Destroys pathogens (bacteria/viruses) in white blood cells

Responsible for autolysis (cell self-destruction of old/damaged cells)

Chloroplast Location

Eukaryotic – Plant & some protists

Chloroplast Description

Green organelle containing chlorophyll 

Chloroplast Function

Site of photosynthesis → makes glucose & oxygen

Has its own DNA & ribosomes (endosymbiosis evidence)

Grana- stacks of thylakoids

Thylakoid Membrane- absorbs light (chlorophyll is located here)

Stroma- fluid around grana, where sugar is made

Cilia Location

Eukaryotic – some Animal cells, protists

Cilia Description

Numerous short, hair-like projections

Cilia Function

Cell movement or moving substances across the cell surface

Example: lining of the respiratory tract moves mucus

Flagella Location 

Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic – sperm, some protists, bacteria

Flagella Description

Long, whip-like tail (usually one or a few per cell)

Flagella Function

Enables cell motility (e.g., sperm swimming to the egg)

Microtubule

hollow tubes for structure, movement, and spindle fibers

Microfilament

thin fibers for support and movement

Intermediate filament 

provides strength and stability 

Nucleolus

makes ribosomes

Chromosomes

Chromosomes - DNA instructions for proteins

Vesicle

A Small membrane “envelope” that transports proteins and other molecules inside and outside the cell

Matrix

Internal fluid space

Inner membrane

Site of ATP production

Central Vacuole

(Plants) Stores food, water, waste, pigments

Contractile Vacuole

Contractile – (Protists) pumps excess water out

Grana

stacks of thylakoids

Thylakoid Membrane

absorbs light (chlorophyll is located here)

Stroma

fluid around grana, where sugar is made

What cell is this

Animal

What is 1

Nucleolus 

What is 2

Nucleus

What is 3

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

what is 4

Ribosomes

What is 5

Golgi apparatus 

What is 6

Golgi vesicle

What is 7

cytoplasm 

What is 8

Vacuole 

What is 9

Lysosome

What is 10

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

What cell is this

plant

What is 1

cytoplasm

What is 2

lysosome

What is 3

mitochondria (same as animal) 

What is 4

Vacuole

What is 5

vesicle

What is 6

Chloroplast

What is 7

Ribosomes

What is 8

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

What is 9

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

What is 10

Nucleoplasm

What is 11

Nucleolus

What is 12

Nuclear envelope

What is 13

Nuclear pore

What is 14

Nucleus

What is 15

Cell wall

What is 16

Cell membrane 

What is 17

Golgi apparatus 

What is 11

Centrosome

What do centrioles do and what are they made of?

Pull chromosomes during cell division and made of microtubules.

English scientists who first saw “little boxes” in CORK that he named cells 

Hooke

Dutch microscope maker who was the first to observe LIVING cells

Van Leeuwenhoek

Botanist who concluded that ALL PLANTS are made of cells

Schleiden

Zoologist who concluded that ALL ANIMALS are made of cells

Schwann

Doctor who reasoned that cells COME ONLY FROM EXISTING CELLS

Virchow

How are Chromatin and Chromosome different

Chromatin - DNA wrapped around a histone protein and uncoiled and floating in the nucleus, can not be seen w/o a strong microscope. 

Chromosome - Chromatin condensed and coiled - then duplicated and tied together at the centromere. Condensed and can be seen with the naked eye

How are Cilia and Flagella different 

Cilia - Short pieces of microtubules. Usually many of them moving in a side to side wave-like motion. 

Flagella - Long pieces of microtubules. Usually one to a few move in a whiplike action or wiggle. 

Small structure in a cell that performs a specific function is the 

Organelle

Dark spot(s) in the nucleus where ribosomes are made would be the 

Nucleolus

Sac of digestive enzymes =

Lysosome