Cell Organelles

organelle

a tiny cell structure that carries out a specific function within a cell

cell membrane

thin, flexible lipid barrier around a cell, it regulates what enters and leaves the cell

cytoplasm

The area inside a cell between the nucleus and the cell membrane, where organelles can be found

chloroplasts

organelles that capture energy from the sunlight and use it to produce food for the cell

cell wall

In plant cells, this stiff wall surrounds the cell membrane, giving the cell a rigid, boxlike shape.

endoplasmic reticulum

the organelle that makes lipids, breaks down drugs and other substances, and packages proteins for the Golgi complex

mitochondria

the organelle that breaks down food molecules to make energy available (ATP)

Golgi complex

the organelle that processes and transports proteins and other materials out of the cell

vacuole

the organelle that stores water and other materials

lysosome

the organelle that digests food particles, wastes, cell parts, and foreign invaders

prokaryote

a cell with no membrane bound nucleus or membrane bound organelles

eukaryote

a cell with a membrane bound "true" nucleus and membrane bound organelles

nucleus

the control center of the cell that directs the cell's activities; it contains the chemical instructions that direct all the cell's activities (DNA)

ribosome

the organelle in which amino acids are bonded together to make proteins