Cell Organelles: Function & Location

Vocabulary flashcards covering the main functions and cellular locations of various cell organelles based on the class slide study guide.

Cell membrane / plasma membrane

A structure found in all cells that controls what enters and leaves and helps maintain homeostasis.

Cytoplasm

A gel-like material found in all cells that suspends organelles, supports chemical reactions, and helps transport materials.

Ribosomes

Structures found in all cells (in the cytoplasm and on rough ER in eukaryotes) that make proteins.

Cytoskeleton

A structure found in eukaryotic plant and animal cells that provides cell structure and helps organelle movement.

Nucleus

An organelle found in eukaryotic plant and animal cells that controls/regulates cell activities and contains DNA/genes.

Nucleolus

A structure found inside the nucleus that makes ribosomes.

Rough ER

An organelle found in all eukaryotic cells that makes and transports proteins, and looks rough because of ribosomes.

Smooth ER

An organelle found in all eukaryotic cells that makes lipids and membranes, detoxifies, and stores calcium.

Golgi apparatus/bodies

An organelle found in all eukaryotic cells that modifies, sorts, and ships proteins.

Mitochondria

An organelle found in all eukaryotic cells that makes ATP energy from food, is the site of cellular respiration, and has its own DNA.

Vacuole

An organelle found in eukaryotic plant and animal cells that stores food, water, or waste.

Lysosomes

Organelles found in animal cells (slides focus on animals) that contain enzymes to digest bacteria, viruses, old organelles, and waste, and recycle old parts.

Centrosome / centrioles

Structures found in animal cells only, according to slides, that create spindle fibers used in cell division.

Cell wall

A rigid outer structure that provides support, shape, and protection, found in plants and prokaryotes as well as fungi and algae.

Chloroplast

The site of photosynthesis found in plant cells and other photosynthetic eukaryotes such as algae, which uses sunlight to make food.

Central vacuole

An organelle found in plant cells that stores water and helps maintain plant shape.

Flagella / cilia

Structures that help movement, where flagella are whip-like and cilia are hair-like, found as shown in slides (varies by cell).