Cell Organelles: Structure and Function

Vocabulary flashcards detailing the structure and function of cellular organelles and components based on the SPOONS Cards reference sheets.

Cell Membrane S

Structure: Made of 2 layers of phospholipids + embedded proteins. Function: Controls what enters and leaves the cell, maintaining homeostasis.

Cytoplasm S

Structure: Jelly-like fluid filling inside of the cell made mostly of water. Function: Holds organelles in place; site of many chemical reactions.

Cilia S

Structure: Hair-like extensions of the cytoskeleton that are shorter and more numerous. Function: Move substances across the cell surface, such as mucus in the lungs.

Nucleus S

Structure: Large, membrane-bound organelle that contains DNA. Function: Stores & protects DNA, which contains instructions for building proteins.

Cell Wall S

Structure: Rigid layer located outside of the cell membrane; made of cellulose in plants. Function: Provides support and protection to a cell, helping it maintain its shape (not found in animal cells).

CytoskeletonS

Structure: Network of protein fibers throughout the cell. Function: Provides shape and support within a cell; helps move organelles throughout the cell.

FlagellaS

Structure: Hair-like extensions of the cytoskeleton that are long and whip-like. Function: Move an entire cell, such as a sperm cell.

NucleolusS

Structure: "Peach pit" inside the nucleus. Function: Site where ribosomes are assembled.

RibosomesS

Structure: Small structures made of RNA and proteins; found floating in the cytoplasm or attached to the rough ER. Function: Produce proteins by following the instructions from DNA.

Smooth ERS

Structure: Folded membrane without ribosomes. Function: Produces lipids.

MitochondriaS

Structure: Double-membrane organelle with folded inner membranes. Function: Site of cellular respiration (chemical energy is broken down to release ATP).

VacuoleS

Structure: Sac-like membrane enclosed structure; smaller and more numerous in animal cells. Function: Stores water, nutrients, and waste; helps maintain water balance.

Rough ERS

Structure: Folded membrane connected to the nucleus; has ribosomes attached to its surface. Function: Allows proteins to fold into their 3D shape; inspects and modifies proteins; packages proteins into vesicles.

Golgi ApparatusS

Structure: Stack of flattened membrane sacs. Function: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins; ships proteins to their final destination.

ChloroplastS

Structure: Double-membrane organelle containing chlorophyll (green pigment). Function: Site of photosynthesis (light energy is converted to glucose).

LysosomeS

Structure: Membrane-bound sacs filled with digestive enzymes. Function: Break down old cell parts and waste, which can be recycled into new parts.

Cell membrane

Function: controls what enters and leaves the cell, maintaining homeostasis.

Cytoplasm

Function: Holds organelles in place; Sight of many chemical reactions

Cilia

Function: move substances across the cell surface, such as mucus in the lungs

Nucleus

Function: stores and protects DNA, which contains instructions for building protein

Cell wall

Function: provides support and protection to a cell, helping it maintain it shape (not found in animal cells)

Cytoskeleton

Function: provide shape and support within a cell, helps move organelles throughout a cell.

Flagella

Function: Move an entire cell, such as a sperm cell

Nucleolus

Function: site where ribosomes are assembled

Ribosomes

Function: Produce proteins by following the instructions from DNA

Smooth ER

Function: produces lipids

Mitochondria

Function: site of cellular respiration (Chemical energy is broken down to release ATP)

Vacuole

Function: stores, water, nutrients, and waste; helps maintain water balance

Rough ER

Function: Allows proteins to pulled into their 3-D shape; inspects and modifies protein; Packages proteins into vessels

Golgi apparatus

Function: modify sorts and packages protein; ships proteins to their final destination

Lysosome

Function breakdown all cell parts and waste; which can be recycled in the new parts.

Chloroplast

Function: site of photosynthesis (lighter energy is converted into glucose)