Organelle Terms

Nucleolus

A densely packed region within the nucleus where ribosomes are assembled

Vacuoles

store materials like water, salts, proteins, and carbohydrates

Cytoskeleton

helps the cell maintain its shape and is involved with movement.

Microfilaments

Threadlike structures, made up of actin; mostly directly below the cell membrane, helping the cell keep its shape

Microtubules

Hollow structures made up of proteins called tubulins; Helps maintain cell shape

Centrioles

 Only active during cell division, when they help organize it; Only in animal cells; Located near the nucleus

Cilia & Flagella

hair like structures, cell movement

Ribosomes

small particles of RNA; make proteins that will be used in the cell; found throughout the cytoplasm

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

network of phospholipid membranes that form hollow tubes, flattened sheets or sacs. 

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

makes proteins

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

makes lipids

Gogli Apparatus

modifies, sorts and packages proteins and other materials from the ER for storage in the cell or release outside of the cell.

Vesicles

move things through out or out of the cell

 Lysosomes

break down lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins into small molecules that can be used by the rest of the cell

Chloroplasts

capture energy from the sun and convert it into food that contains chemical energy (photosynthesis)

Peroxisome

break down substances that are toxic to the cell

Mitochondria

converts the chemical energy stored in food into compounds (ATP) that are more convenient for the cell to use

Cell Wall

found in prokaryotes and plant cells, provide structure, support and protection

Cell Membrane

found in ALL cells, regulates what enters and leaves the cell.

Nucleus

Controls cell activity; Contains nearly all of the cells

Nuclear Envelope (membrane)

Surrounds the nucleus

Nuclear Pores

Found in the nuclear envelope; allow things to come in or come out

Chromatin

material of which Chromosomes are composed, contains proteins, RNA and DNA. - unwound chromosomes