Cell Structure
& Function
http://koning.ecsu.ctstateu.edu/cell/cell.html
Red is your subject
(left side)
Navy Blue is your info
(right side)
Cell Theory
• All living things are made up of cells
• Cells are the smallest working units of all
living things
• All cells come from preexisting cells
through cell division.
Definition of Cell
A cell is the smallest unit that is
capable of performing life
functions
Examples of Cells
Amoeba Proteus
Plant Stem
Bacteria
Red Blood Cell
Nerve Cell
Cell Parts
aka Organelles
Cell Membrane
• Outer membrane of cell
that controls movement
in and out of the cell
• Double layer
• Nickname: Border Patrol
• Analogy: Border
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
Cell Wall
• Most commonly found
in plant cells
• Supports & protects
cells
• Nickname: Tree Bark
• Analogy: brick wall
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
Nucleus
• Directs cell activities
• Contains genetic
material – DNA
• Nickname: Control
Center
• Analogy: City Hall
Cytoplasm
•
•
•
•
Gel-like mixture
Surrounded by cell membrane
Nickname: Jello
Analogy: atmosphere (air)
Ribosomes
• Each cell contains
thousands
• Make proteins
• Found on
Endoplasmic
Reticulum & floating
throughout the cell
• Nickname: Ribs!!
• Analogy: Lumber Mill
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
Mitochondria
• Produces energy through
chemical reactions –
breaking down fats &
carbohydrates
• Nickname: Powerhouse
• Analogy: Power Plant
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
Vacuoles
• Membrane-bound
sacs for storage,
digestion, and waste
removal
• Usually contains water
• Much larger in plant
cells
• Nickname: Ziploc bag
• Analogy: Water Tower
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
Chloroplast
• Usually found in plant
cells
• Contains green
chlorophyll
• Where photosynthesis
takes place
• Nickname:
greenhouse
• Analogy: solar panels
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
Lysosome
• Digestive organelle for
proteins, fats, and
carbohydrates
• Transports undigested
material to cell
membrane for removal
• Cell breaks down if
lysosome explodes
• Nickname: Garbageman
• Analogy: Waste
Management
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html
“Typical” Animal Cell
http://web.jjay.cuny.edu/~acarpi/NSC/images/cell.gif
“Typical” Plant Cell
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/images/plant3.gif