cell organelles bio

Vacuoles

Store waste products, nutrients, and water. In plant cells, also regulate turgor pressure.

Nucleus

Contains DNA, site of RNA synthesis; surrounded by membrane; controls cell activities.

Nucleolus

Produces ribosomes; found inside the nucleus.

Cytoplasm

Area outside nucleus; contains organelles; environment for chemical reactions.

Golgi Apparatus / Golgi Bodies

Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins.

Lysosome

Contains digestive enzymes to break down materials within the cell.

Chloroplast

Performs photosynthesis using CO₂, water, and sunlight. Found in plants and some protists. Reflects green light. Contains DNA.

Cell Membrane

Phospholipid bilayer surrounding the cell; regulates entry and exit of substances.

Mitochondria

Provides energy (ATP) through cellular respiration; double membrane, inner membrane folded. Has own DNA and ribosomes.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Synthesizes membrane lipids and detoxifies drugs; no ribosomes.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Ribosomes on surface make proteins; transports and modifies proteins within the cell.

Ribosome

Assembles proteins. Free ribosomes make proteins for the cell; attached ribosomes make proteins for export.

Cytoskeleton

Maintains cell shape and motility; made of microfilaments and microtubules (protein strands).

Cell Wall

Thick outer layer in plant cells made of cellulose; maintains shape and protection; creates turgor pressure. Also in fungi, algae, some bacteria.

Chromatin / Chromosomes

Strands containing genetic material directing cell function.

Vesicles

Small lipid bilayer sacs that transport materials within the cell.

Peroxisomes

Contain enzymes to break down toxins.

Microtubule

Part of cytoskeleton made of tubulin; moves substances and provides structural framework.

Microfilament

Part of cytoskeleton made of actin; involved in movement and structure.

Endomembrane System Order

1) Rough ER 2) Transport Vesicle 3) Golgi Body 4) Export Vesicle / Vacuole / Lysosome

Gap Junctions

Cytoplasmic channels between adjacent cells for communication.

Tight Junctions

Membranes of neighboring cells pressed together to prevent fluid leakage.

Desmosomes

Anchoring junctions preventing cells from being pulled apart.

Plasmodesmata

Channels through plant cell walls connecting cytoplasms of adjacent cells.

Centrioles

Organelles that aid in cell division (animal cells only).

Prokaryotic Cell

Lacks membrane

Eukaryotic Cell

Has membrane

Endomembrane System

Network of membranes for protein/lipid production and transport via vesicles (includes ER, Golgi, vesicles). #