modern Biology
The Cell
Organelle Functions Study Sheet
These are the functions of the cell organelles with appropriate detail to earn full credit on the quiz. For the quiz,
you need to correctly describe the function of (not the structure-that is covered using drawings on the first part of
the quiz), at least, TEN of the following 23 cell parts. You may choose to do more than ten because only correct
descriptions will be counted until you reach the maximum of ten.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Plasma Membrane: Controls what enters and leaves the cell.
Nucleus: Controls the activity of the cell by using the genes in DNA to code for protein. DNA is inheritable material.
Nuclear Envelope: Separates the nucleus and its contents (DNA) from the rest of the cell.
Nuclear Pores: allow passage of molecule in and out of the nucleus.
Nucleolus: site of RNA synthesis off of DNA.
Mitochondria: break down glucose to make ATP.
Ribosomes: organize production of protein, free ones make protein to be kept by cell, attached ones make protein for
export
8. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
Processes phospholipids and proteins for export
9. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
builds lipids such as cholesterol, releases Calcium (Ca), detoxify:  s.ER production / drug tolerance
10. Golgi Apparatus
Golgi modifies, adds “address labels,” packages protein
Vesicles (11-14)
11. Lysosomes: contain hydrolytic (breakdown) enzymes, digest (merge with food vacuoles or old organelles), will rupture to
destroy cell (programmed cell death: apoptosis).
12. Peroxisomes: enclosed enzyme breaks down common, toxic, metabolic byproduct:hydrogen peroxide (H 2O2 H2O + O2)
13. Food vacuoles: store food
14. Contractile Vacuoles: contract to rid cell of excess water
15. Cytoskeleton
used like tent poles to support structure, used as internal tracks on which items move or anchor
16. Cilia and Flagella
Cilia: short and numerous, in ear: vibrate with sound, protists use to “row”, get food by sweeping into “mouth”
Flagella: long and few in #, propulsion
17. Centrioles
animal cells only, organize cell division
18. Centrosome: organizes microtubules, both animals & plants
19. Cell Walls
Comparing Cells: Prokaryotes to Eukaryotes
rigid, provide structure, protection, back-pressure for turgidity
to help plant stand up.
20. Large Central Vacuole
SAME
DIFFERENT
Stores water, enzymes, metabolic wastes etc.
FEATURES
FEATURES
Plastids (20-23)
21. Chloroplasts
chlorophyll in thylakoids captures light energy, used to build
No membraneglucose.
bound
organelles,
22. Chromoplasts
Smaller upper
contain colorful pigments and may or may not take part in
limit,
photosynthesis. red, purple, yellow, or white pigments in
PROPili,
Mesosome,
Plasma
membrane
flower petals, attract pollinators
KARYOTES
DNA
Nucleoid region,
23. Amyloplasts: store starch (plants only)
Flagella
Binary fission,
24. Proplastid: common precursor to all the above
Metabolic
circular DNA +
functions
plasmids*,
Comparing Cells: Plant to Animal
Ribosomes,
Membrane-bound
All Characteristics
Organelles unique to each
organelles,
of life,
PLANTS
ANIMALS
Nucleus,
EUKARYOTES
plastids like
Larger upper limit,
centrioles
Mitosis/Meiosis*,
chloroplasts
Linear DNA*
cell wall
central vacuole
* not covered in this chapter
Prokaryotic Parts and Functions: (*Unique to prokaryotic cells. Parts that are common to eukaryotic cells have a simpler,
prokaryotic composition.)
Mrs. Loyd
cloyd@waukee.k12.ia.us
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10/20/11
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
*Capsule: sticky coating on outside of some prokaryotes that helps non-motile bacteria stick, may hide cell from host’s
immune system.
Cell Wall: rigid, provide structure, protection, back-pressure for turgidity.
Cytoskeleton: used like tent poles to support structure, used as internal tracks on which items move or anchor
Flagella: (sg: flagellum) long and few in #, propulsion (prokaryotes do not have cilia)
*Nucleoid Region: area containing DNA that is used to control the cell and is the hereditary material.
*Pili: (sg: Pilus) Short projections on the surface of a prokaryotic cell that helps the cell attach to other surfaces.
Specialized sex pili are used in conjugation (sharing DNA) to hold the cells together.
Plasma Membrane: Controls what enters and leaves the cell.
Ribosomes: organize production of protein.
Mrs. Loyd
cloyd@waukee.k12.ia.us
Page 2 of 2
http://loydbiology.weebly.com
10/20/11
http://www.mybiology.com