nucleus
houses chromosomes (hold and protect the cell’s genetic information)
nuclear envelope
a cell membrane that encloses the nucleus; perforated by nuclear pores
nuclear pores
perforations in the nuclear envelope that allow proteins to pass in and mRNA to pass out
nucleolus
inside the nucleus; where ribosome assembly begins
cytoplasm
fluid portion of the cell that organelles float in; made of water, sugars, ions, and proteins; many cellular reactions occur in it
function of chromosomes
inside nucleus; made of tightly coiled DNA; store all of the organism’s genetic information (but only the needed genes in that specific cell type are switched on)
cell membranes
surround cells; made of a phospholipid bilayer; creates a selective barrier between the cell and its environment and embeds proteins in it
cell walls
only in plants, fungi, bacteria, and algae; provide structural support and protection for the cell
ribosomes
site of protein synthesis
How do vacuoles form?
by the fusion of multiple vesicles
difference of vacuoles between plants and animals
plants have a large central vacuole to store water; animals have many smaller vacuoles
vacuoles
store water, toxins, sugars, and ions
endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
produces proteins and lipids
rough ER
studded with ribosomes that produce transmembrane and organelle proteins
smooth ER
lacks ribosomes and is the site of lipid synthesis (fatty acids, phospholipids, steroid hormones)
Golgi apparatus
stacks of flattened membrane sacs (cisternae); further modifies proteins and lipids from the ER to make them usable for the cell, acts as a sorting station, site of glycosylation
glycosylation
the process in which sugars are covalently linked to lipids or proteins: takes place in the Golgi apparatus
lysosomes
generally only in animal cells; contain acidic enzymes that break down macromolecules and materials taken from outside the membrane through endocytosis
vesicles
transport substances from one organelle to another or to and from the cell membrane
How do vesicles form?
by pinching off, or “budding” from one membrane (ER) to the next (Golgi)
centriole
barrel shaped organelles from which microtubules grow; form spindle fibers (made of microtubules) that pull apart chromosomes during cell division
Which two energy processing organelles aren’t a part of the endomembrane system?
the mitochondria and chloroplasts
mitochondria
rod-shaped organelles with a double membrane (outer membrane and highly folded inner membrane); harness energy or organic molecules to produce ATP
mitochondrial matrix
the space enclosed by the inner membrane of the mitochondria
inter-membrane space
the area between the outer and inner membranes of the mitochondria
cellular respiration
a series of chemical reactions in which organic molecules are broken down and the energy stored in them is converted to ATP
How do the folds of the mitochondria relate to the process of cellular respiration?
the folds increase the surface area available for biochemical reactions that produce ATP, producing more ATP
chloroplasts
only in plant cells and green algae; have a double membrane and stacks of flattened sacs (thylakoids) grouped into stacks (grana); site of photosynthesis
photosynthesis
turning carbon dioxide, water, and light energy into oxygen and glucose
thylakoids
stacks of flattened sacs in the chloroplast; contain light-collecting molecules (pigments - chlorophyll)
function of the cytoskeleton
provides internal support for cells and helps determine cell shape
microtubules
hollow, structural rods that are assembled and disassembled when needed
microfilaments
extensively branch just beneath the cell membrane to reinforce the cell wall
function of microtubules and microfilaments
help with the process of cell division, help give the cell shape, help with cell movement
What are two cytoskeletal elements found in all eukaryotic cells?
microtubules and microfilaments