Cell Organelles

AP Bio Unit 2

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)

Microfilament

Long, thin fibers that make up part of the cytoskeleton

Cytoskeleton

Made of microfiliments, intermediate filaments and microtubules, this is the skeletal system of the cell that is responsible for moving things through the cell and providing support

Cytoplasm/Cytosol

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

Smooth ER

Without ribosome studs this is a network of membranous sacs and tubes'; active in membrane synthesis and other synthetic and metabolic processes

Mitochondria

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

Nucleolus

Dark spot in the nucleus where ribosomes are made

Perixosome

Organelle with various functions. Makes H2O2 which it then converts to water

Centriole

Found only in animal cells these are part of the centrosome and direct the movement of chromosomes during cell division

Golgi Apparatus

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

Vacuole

The organelle that stores water and other materials. Plants have a large central one of these

Ribosome

The organelle in which amino acids are hooked together to make proteins. 70S in Prokaryotes 80S in Eukaryotes

Microvili

Projections that increase a cell's surface area

Centrosome

Region where the cell's microtubules are initiated. Contains a pair of centrioles

Lysosome

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

Rough ER

Studded with ribosomes this is where newly made proteins are deposited and packaged to be sent to the Golgi complex. These proteins are used outside the cell

Intermediate Filament

A component of the cytoskeleton that includes filaments intermediate in size between microtubules and microfilaments.

Chromatin

Form of DNA during Interphase. Unwound

Nuclear Membrane/Envelope

The sack that separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm

Cell Membrane

Functions as a selective barrier that allows passage of enough oxygen, nutrients and wastes to service the entire cell

Chloroplasts

Organelles that capture energy from the sunlight and use it to produce food for the cell. Plants Only