Cell Organelles
Eukaryotic Cells
Cell Parts
• Cells – the basic unit
of life
• Organelles - small
structures inside a
cell with specific
functions.
Analogy – City of Rocklin
A) Cell Membrane/Plasma
Membrane
Cell
membrane
1. Function: Regulates materials entering and
exiting the cell.
2. Structure: Two layers of phospholipids, proteins
Analogy – Rocklin city limits
B) Cytoplasm
Cytoplasm
1. Function: All cell contents that lie between the cell
membrane and the nucleus. (organelles + cytosol)
a. Cytosol = liquid portion/non-organelles.
2. Structure: made up of fluid and organelles except
for nucleus
Analogy – All air, water, life that are in Rocklin, except
City Hall
C) Nucleus
Nucleus
1. Function: “Control Center.” Regulates DNA
& RNA actions.
2. Structure: membrane bound, contains DNA
Analogy – City Hall
D) Nuclear Envelope
Nuclear
Envelope
1. Function: Regulates what enters or exits the
nucleus.
2. Structure: Double Layer of Lipids
Analogy – Walls & Doors of City Hall
E) Nucleolus
Nucleolus
1. Function: Produces RNA, which are used to
make all proteins.
2. Structure: Inside Nucleus, separate from
DNA
Analogy – The Mayor
F) DNA – Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA (chromatin)
1. Function: information on how to make
proteins.
a. Chromatin – unorganized DNA (normal state)
b. Chromosomes – organized DNA (present before
cell division
2. Structure: Made up of nucleotides, locked in
the nucleus
Analogy – The Laws or City Code
G) Endoplasmic Reticulum
Rough ER
Smooth ER
1. Function: Transportation route for proteins.
a. Rough ER: has ribosomes
b. Smooth ER: no ribosomes
2. Structure: tubes and channels
Analogy – Roads & Sidewalks
H) Ribosomes
Ribosomes
Free
Ribosomes
1. Function: Makes proteins.
2. Structure: small circular organelles
Analogy – Restaurants, Factories, Builders.
I) Vacuoles & Vesicles
Vesicles
1. Function: Storage for water, nutrients or
waste.
2. Structure: small membrane-bound organelle.
Analogy – Grocery stores, water tanks.
J) Lysosomes
Lysosomes
1. Function: packets of enzymes that break
down materials in a cell.
2. Structure: Small membrane-bound
organelles
Analogy – Recycling center
K) Mitochondria
Mitochondria
1. Function: Produce energy for the cell – site
of cellular respiration. “The Powerhouse”
2. Structure: Double membrane-bound, kidney
shaped.
Analogy – PG&E
L) Golgi Apparatus
Golgi
Apparatus
1. Function: Packages, labels and ships
proteins out of the cell.
2. Structure: Pancake-shaped layered
organelle
Analogy – Post Office
M) Cytoskeleton
Microfilaments
Microtubules
1. Function: Provide support and structure for
the cell.
a. Microfilaments
b. Microtubules
2. Structure: Tubules
Analogy – Wood, cement, steel beams
N) Centrioles (Animals Only)
Centrioles
1. Function: microtubules that help divide the
cell during cell division.
• Structure: Tubules
Analogy – Rocklin High School vs. Whitney High School
O) Cilia & Flagella
Flagella
Flagella
Cilia
1. Function: provides movement for the cell or
objects moving by the cell.
2. Structure:
a. Flagella – 1 long fiber
b. Cilia – many short fibers
Analogy – Cars or bicycles.
P) Chloroplasts (Plants only)
Chloroplasts
1. Function: site of photosynthesis (converting
sun and CO2 into sugar).
2. Structure: Membrane bound organelles that
contain chlorophyll
Analogy – Solar Panels
Q) Cell Wall (Plant cells only)
Cell Wall
1. Function: Provides support for the cell and
the plant.
2. Structure: Made of cellulose
Analogy – ground, rock wall
Cell Parts Analogy
• Create an analogy (besides the city
analogy) for the cell and its parts
• Possible ideas:
– Stadium
– School
– Country
– Restaurant
– House
– Mall
– Waterpark
Stadium Example:
•
•
•
•
Cell membrane: wall of stadium, gates
Cytoplasm: everything inside the stadium.
Nucleus: the control room for the stadium.
Etc…