Cell Structures and Organelles

Vocabulary flashcards detailing the description, function, and cell type distribution of key plant and animal cell structures and organelles.

Nucleus

The membrane-surrounded control center of the cell that directs all cell activities; found in both plant and animal cells.

Chromosomes

Structures containing DNA and genetic information that hold the construction plans for the cell; present in both plant and animal cells.

Cell Membrane

A structure composed of a double layer of fat molecules that holds the contents and the cell in place; found in both plant and animal cells.

Cytoplasm

A watery fluid located inside the cell membrane and outside the nucleus that allows materials to be transported quickly between structures in the cell; present in both plant and animal cells.

Vacuole

A balloon-like storage sac used to store water and waste; present in both plant and animal cells.

Cell Wall

A rigid outer structure that provides extra strength, protection, and support; found in plant cells but absent in animal cells.

Chloroplast

The food factories of plant cells that absorb light energy to produce food; present in plant cells but absent in animal cells.

Flagellum

A whip-like tail structure that helps the cell move; present in animal cells but absent in plant cells.

Cilia

Tiny hair-like structures that work together to move a cell or circulate the fluid surrounding a cell; present in animal cells but absent in plant cells.

Mitochondrion

The power plant of the cell that provides energy via cellular respiration; present in both plant and animal cells.

Ribosome

Small, dense dot-like packets that produce proteins needed for cell growth, repair, and reproduction; found in both plant and animal cells.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

A series of folded membranes forming canals where proteins and other materials are made; present in both plant and animal cells.

Golgi Apparatus

A structure resembling a stack of flattened balloons that stores proteins and packages them into vesicles; present in both plant and animal cells.

Lysosome

A sac containing special proteins that break down large molecules and clean the cytoplasm.

Vesicles

Membrane-bound sacs formed by the cell membrane and endoplasmic reticulum that store and transport proteins or waste; present in both plant and animal cells.