Cell Structures and Organelles in Animal, Plant, and Bacterial Cells

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering cell organelles, structures, functions, physical appearances, and memory clues across animal, plant, and bacterial cells based on Gizmo lab notes.

Capsule

A bacterial cell structure resembling an orange peel that protects the cell from harmful materials getting inside and from drying out (Memory clue: Cake).

Cell wall

An outer layer found in plant and bacterial cells, resembling the rim of a cucumber, that provides strength, protects and supports the cell, and maintains its distinct shape (Memory clue: Gate).

Cell membrane

A barrier found in animal, plant, and bacterial cells (appearing as a green ring or barrier) that surrounds the cell and regulates what goes in and out (Memory clue: Security gate).

Cytoplasm

The substance in animal, plant, and bacterial cells (appearing as a yellow surface/bottom) that includes everything inside the cell and occupies the in-betweens of all structures (Memory clue: Glue).

Nucleoid

A bacterial structure resembling tangled noodles that holds up genetic material (Memory clue: Spaghetti noodles).

Plasmid

Small rings found in bacterial cells that carry DNA and provide the cell with antibiotic resistance (Memory clue: DNA).

Ribosome

Small dots found in animal, plant, and bacterial cells (observed around the nucleus in animal cells) that serve as the site where proteins are made (Memory clue: Protein factory).

Flagellum

A bacterial cell structure resembling a long purple tail that allows movement for the cell (Memory clue: Boat propeller).

Pilus

Structures appearing as lines sticking up on a bacterial cell that serve as an attachment piece (Memory clue: Grappling hook).

Nucleus

A structure found in animal and plant cells, appearing as a blue sphere, that contains the DNA and determines genes and gene expressions (Memory clue: Control center).

Nucleolus

A tiny sphere located inside the big blue nucleus in animal and plant cells that contains RNA and synthesizes ribosomes (Memory clue: Ribosome birther).

Nuclear membrane

The protective barrier of the blue sphere (nucleus) found in animal and plant cells (Memory clue: Security gate).

Endoplasmic reticulum

A structure appearing as a maze around the nucleus or a stack of pancakes that manufactures, processes, and transports chemical compounds around the cell (Memory clue: Stack of pancakes).

Golgi apparatus

An organelle appearing as outer stacks of pancakes in animal and plant cells that collects and modifies chemical compounds (Memory clue: Pancake).

Vesicle

Organelles in animal and plant cells resembling tiny white dots surrounding the mitochondria that store and deliver nutrients (Memory clue: Tiny water balloon).

Mitochondria

Organelles resembling half split sausages or jelly beans that convert nutrients into energy that can be processed for the cell to use (Memory clue: Sausage/jelly bean).

Lysosome

Organelles found in animal cells, appearing as yellow dip and dots, that break down old and nonfunctional organelles (Memory clue: Bubble).

Vacuole

A structure appearing as little white mints that stores water, salts, carbohydrates, and proteins in animal cells, and stores water and tiny amounts of other chemicals and nutrients in plant cells (Memory clue: Vacuum).

Centriole

An animal cell structure resembling Red Vines candy that organizes the movement of chromosomes during cell division (Memory clue: Licorice bites).

Cytoskeleton

A network resembling noodles or a spiderweb stretching from the cell membrane to the nucleus that gives the cell its shape and affects cell movement (Memory clue: Spiderweb).

Chloroplast

A plant cell organelle that converts sunlight energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis (Memory clue: Green Jelly bean).

Plastid

A plant cell organelle that carries out photosynthesis, general storage, and food storage (Memory clue: Stack of pancakes).