Cell organelles perform specific functions for the cell, just like organs do in your body.
Organelles can be found only in
Organelle
Cell Membrane
Cell Wall
Nucleus
Ribosomes
Endoplasmic
Reticulum (ER)
Lysosome
Vacuole
Chloroplast
Mitochondria
Golgi Apparatus
Cytoskeleton
Cytoplasm
Function
cells.
Comparison
Plant, animal,
or both?
Cell organelles perform specific functions for the cell, just like organs do in your body.
Organelles can be found only in
Eukaryotic
cells.
Organelle
Function
Comparison
Cell Membrane
Boundary of the cell – lets some things in, keeps other
things out
Border, fence with
gates
Cell Wall
Rigid, tough cell boundary – provides protection and
structure for the cell
Wall, brick fence
Plant cells
Nucleus
Control center of the cell – contains the DNA
Brain, president of a
company
Both
Ribosomes
Makes proteins
A factory, assembly
line
Endoplasmic
Reticulum (ER)
Site of all the cell’s chemical reactions
ROUGH ER – is studded with ribosomes
SMOOTH ER – has no ribosomes
Garbage disposal of the cell – contains digestive
enzymes that break down wastes.
Chemical plant,
nuclear reactor
Both and in
prokaryotic
cells
Both
Garbage truck, trash
can
Both
Vacuole
Storage container for food, water, and enzymes
Refrigerator,
storage unit
Chloroplast
Does photosynthesis – makes food for the plant cell
Kitchen, chef
Plant – very
large
Animal – small
Plant
Mitochondria
Powerhouse of the cell – produces energy for the cell to Battery, power plant
use
Golgi Apparatus
Stores, modifies, and packages proteins.
UPS man, Post office Both
Cytoskeleton
Acts like muscle and skeleton for the cell, helps the cell
move around and move the organelles from place to
place. Provides structure
Skeleton, scaffolding Both
for a building
Cytoplasm
Clear gel-like fluid that is in-between the cell’s
organelles
Air, gel
Lysosome
Plant, animal,
or both?
Both
Both
Both