Functions of the cell

Cells and their functions

Plasma membrane

Protective semi-permeable outer layer, regulates the transport of materials entering and exiting

Cytoplasm

To transport, maintain cell shape and structure, protect, store macromolecules and act as the host to metabolic processes

Ribosomes

Made of RNA and proteins, controls what enters and leaves, aerobic respiration site, transports enzymes, protein synthesis

Nucleus

Where DNA is stored, houses chromosomes, surrounded by nuclear envelope

Chromosomes

Structures where DNA are located

Nuclear membrane

Surrounds the nucleus and controls what goes in and out

Rough ER

Membrane with ribosomes, helps make and process proteins

Smooth ER

Membrane with no ribosomes that form transport vesicles, synthesizes lipids and detoxifies

Transport vesicles

In the smooth ER, used to help move materials, such as proteins and other molecules from one part of the cell to another

Golgi apparatus

Made up of saccules that package up things to be transported around the cell or that need to leave the cell, like hormones

Lysosomes

Vesicles that have digestive enzymes inside them, breaks down things in the cell, kills bacteria

Vacuoles

Large membranous sacs for storing

Vesicles

Small sacs used for storing

Mitochondria

Double membrane structure that breaks down ATP to give the cell energy

Cristae

Increases the surface area of the mitochondria membrane

Chromatin

To package DNA into the nucleus

Nuclear envelope

membrane that maintains the nucleus shape, sends mRNA outside of it

Nucleolus

synthesis mRNA, makes subunits of ribosomes, not membrane bound

Chloroplast

produces energy through photosynthesis, sustains plant growth

Peroxisome

carry out oxidative reactions using oxygen, in the eukaryotic cells

Microvilli

Increases surface area to enhance absorption and secretion

Microfilaments

helps the cell move, contraction of the muscle cells, made out of actin

Flagellum

helps an organism move, detects temperature and pH changes

Centrosome

Regulates cell movement, adhesion and polarity

Fimbriae

enables bacterial cells to stick to a surface