Cell Structure Organelles

Endosymbiont Theory

Eukaryotic cells may have evolved when multiple cells merged into a single cell. This could explain why mitochondria and chloroplasts have their own DNA.

Flagellum

Long, hair-like structures that extend from the plasma membrane and enable an entire cell to move.

Centrosome

A microtubule-organizing center, located near the nucleus of animal cells, aids in cell division.

Cytoskeleton

A network of protein fibers that helps maintain the cell's shape, secures organelles into specific positions, and allows vesicles to move within the cell.

Microfilaments

In the cytoskeleton, small hollow tubes are the widest components. They help the cell resist compression, provide a track along which vesicles move through the cell, and pull replicated chromosomes to opposite ends of a dividing cell.

Microtubules

Actin is an example found in muscle cells. A small protein fiber that assists in cellular movement.

Microvilli

Finger-shaped plasma membrane protrusions are found at the surface of cells. Examples, found in the intestines, aid in the digestion process.

Peroxisome

Detoxify the cell by breaking down many poisons that enter the body, such as fatty acids and amino acids

Mitochondrion

Responsible for making adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cell's primary energy-carrying molecule.

Lysosome

Functions as the cell's digestive component by releasing enzymes to break down worn-out cell organelles.

Phagocytosis

A section of the plasma membrane folds in and ingests or engulfs other cells or particles—cell eating.

Pinocytosis

A cell will uptake extracellular fluids, including solutes, fat droplets, and vitamins—cell drinking.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle composed of a series of stacked membranes that sorts, tags, and packages lipids/proteins for distribution.

Ribosome

The cellular structure responsible for making proteins. May be found free in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Plasma/Cell Membrane

The phospholipid bilayer that separates the cell from the surrounding environment.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

A series of interconnected membranous sacs and tubules that collectively modify proteins and synthesize lipids.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

Produces proteins that are sent to the Golgi complex. Contains ribosomes.

Nucleus

Houses the cell's DNA and directs the synthesis of ribosomes and proteins.

Nuclear Envelope

A double-membrane structure that controls what moves into and out of the nucleus.

Nucleolus

The location of ribosomal RNA in a cell, where ribosomes are assembled

Chromatin

Proteins that are attached to DNA help build chromosomes.

Central Vacuole

A large plant cell organelle that regulates the cell's storage compartment, holds water, and plays a significant role in cell growth as the site of macromolecule degradation.

Junction

They are like plasmodesmata in plant cells in that they are channels between adjacent cells that allow for transporting ions, nutrients, and other substances that enable cells to communicate.

Plasmodesmata

Numerous channels that pass between adjacent plant cells' cell walls connect their cytoplasm and enable the transport of materials from cell to cell, and thus throughout the plant.

Turgid

A term used in plant cells. The cells or tissues of plants swell from absorbing water.

Tight Junctions

When two adjacent cells are tightly connected, it prevents materials from leaking between them.

Plasmolysis

When a cell membrane detaches from the wall, it constricts the cytoplasm. This occurs when plant cells lack sufficient water.

Gap Junctions

They are like plasmodesmata in plant cells in that they are channels between adjacent cells that allow for transporting ions, nutrients, and other substances that enable cells to communicate

Extracellular Fluid

The body fluids outside of the cells of any multicellular organism.

Chloroplast

A plant cell organelle that carries out photosynthesis.

Hydrophobic

A molecule that cannot bond with water is said to be "water-hating."

Isotonic

When the cell has the same osmolarity as the environment.