AP Biology Review

Organelles

A specialized subunit within a cell that has a specific function.

nucleus

controls the cell’s activities

nucleolus

used in the production of ribosomes.

Chromatin

uncondensed DNA and serves as the blueprint for controlling the cell’s functions and for building more cells.

Cytoplasm

aqueous material contains numerous other organelles

ribosomes

found floating in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. they synthesize proteins.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

a series of interconnecting flattened tubular channels.

Smooth ER

plays a role in lipid synthesis.

Rough ER

ribosomes attached and plays a role in protein synthesis, protein, and protein folding.

vesicles

containing newly synthesized protein separate from the ends of the rough ER. used to ship them to other parts of the cell or to the outside of the cell. 

golgi apparatus

further protein modification, sorting, and packaging. a stack of membranous flattened sacs and is directly associated with the endoplasmic reticulum.

Small vacuoles

involved in storage

lysosomes

contain hydrolytic enzymes that are necessary for intercellular digestion of macromolecules. degrade worn out organelles.

Peroxisomes

responsible for protecting the cell as they rid the body of toxic substances such as hydrogen peroxide. break down fat.

Mitochondria

sites of aerobic respiration, and generally are the major energy production center in cells. They produce ATP, the universal energy carrier of cells from organic molecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.

cytoskeletal components

play numerous roles in the cell such as support, structure, and movement.

microtubules

found in cilia and flagella

cilia

minute hair-like organelles involved in movement of mucus out of the lungs and the egg in the fallopian tube.

flagella

similar to cilia but longer and typically found on sperm

cell membrane

the thin membrane is essential in controlling exchange between the cell and its environment. it acts as a very efficient barrier, but also allows a controlled traffic of materials across it in both directions. the membrane is considered as partially semi permeable. allows some materials to pass but not others.