cells

Cell

All living things are made of one or more cells.  They are the “building blocks of life.”

Cell membrane

Thin outside layer of cell, protects cell, controls what goes in and out of cell

Nucleus

Controls ALL of the cell’s activities, contains the cell’s DNA.  It is like the “brain” of the cell!

Cytoplasm

Clear, jelly-like fluid that fills the cells. All of the tiny organelles

Mitochondria

This is where sugar is broken down to produce chemical ENERGY for the cell (called cellular respiration)

Vacuoles

Storage tanks for water , food and waste

Ribosomes

Makes proteins (chemicals). They float in cytoplasm

Chloroplasts

Turns sunlight, water and carbon dioxide into sugar and oxygen (photosynthesis) ONLY IN PLANT CELLS

Cell wall

Rigid, stiff, outer layer of plant cells, made of cellulose.  Gives a plant structure and support ONLY IN PLANT CELLS