Parts of cells and their basic functions

Organelles will be labelled with either (Eu) for eukaryotes or (Pro) for prokaryotes. Parts of organelles are labelled (OP)

Nucleus (Eu)

Information storage, Ribosome assembly

Nuclear Envelope (Eu)

The double membrane between the nucleus and the rest of the cell

Nuclear Lamina (OP)

The nuclear cytoskeleton that maintains the nucleus’s circular shape

Nucleolus (OP)

Ribo RNA synthesis, ribosome assembly

Ribosome (Eu)

Site of protein synthesis, technically not an organelle.

Free ribosomes

Freely floating in the cell membrane. The proteins they make are used inside the cytosol.

Ribosomes bound to ER

Their proteins are used outside the cytosol

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (Eu)

The location of protein synthesis

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (Eu)

The location of lipid synthesis or breakdown

Lysosomes (Eu, animal only)

The recycling center of the cell, has enzymes that break down macros.

Vacuoles (Eu, plant only)

Storage centers of the cell, acts as a lysosome

Peroxisomes (Eu)

The location of Redox reactions

Mitochondria (Eu)

Supplies ATP to the cell, has a double membrane, contains its own DNA

Cristae (OP)

The funky layers that form inside a mitochondria

Matrix (OP)

The solution between the cristae

Chloroplasts (Eu, plant only)

The site of photosynthesis, only triple membrane. Contains own DNA

Thylakoid (OP)

The funky layers within a chloroplast that forms grana

Stroma (OP)

The solution between the thylakoids.

Cytoskeleton (Eu)

Shapes and structures the cell, contains filaments that move the cell.

Actin filaments (OP)

The part of the cytoskeleton that assists in movement

Intermediate Filaments (OP)

The part of the cytoskeleton that offers structure and stability

Microtubules (OP)

The parts of the cytoskeleton that are tracks for movement of organelles

Eukaryotic Cells

Much larger, has a nucleus, has compartmentalized organelles, typically multicellular

Prokaryotic Cells

Much smaller, no nucleus, no membrane-bound organelles, typically single-celled

Circular Chromosome (Pro)

Composed of DNA and proteins, the location of genes in the cell

Nucleoid (Pro)

The location where the chromosome likes to hang out

Plasmids (Pro)

The small, circular DNA molecules that give prokaryotes “extra bonus features”

Flagella (Pro)

Extracellular pseudopods that propel cells through water

Fimbriae (Pro)

Extracellular spikes that attach to surfaces kinda like Spiderman