All plants and animals, dead or alive, are composed of cells. Cells are the building blocks of nature. All animal cells have certain structures, called organelles that identify the cell as an animal cell. The same is true of plant cells. Even though plant and animal cells are different, they do have many similar cell structures (organelles). The following table identifies organelles, classifies them as either plant or animal or both, provides a description of the organelle and a study section. This study method is designed to help you remember the parts of a cell by relating them to your own body. The highlighted portion of the note indicates organelles that are visible using a light microscope.
Name
Nucleus
Description
-circular shaped inner organelle
Chromosomes -strands of material found in the nucleus
Function
-control centre of the cell
-directs cell activities and contains the genetic material for reproduction
-construction plans for the cell and genetic information to reproduce
Animal Plant Study method
Relation to body
X X -functions like the brain
X
X
X -performs the same task as the reproductive system of the human body
X -skin Cell membrane
Cytoplasm
Vacuole
Cell Wall
-outside membrane of an animal cell
-found next to the cell wall in a plat cell
-watery fluid contained inside of the cell membrane
-oval inner organelle of plant and animal cells
-exterior membrane of a plant cell
Chloroplasts -inner green oval shaped organelle
-controls the movement of material into and out of the cell
-allows materials to be transported between cell structures
-stores waste before disposal
-storage area for nutrients and water
-is larger in plant cells than in animal cells
--protects and supports the plant cell
-allows some gases, water and minerals to pass through it
-produces food using light from the sun
X
X
X
X
X
X
-veins and arteries of the circulatory system
-digestive system
-skeletal system and clothes of a person
-hands putting food into a mouth

Mitochondria -cylindrical organelle
Endoplasmic reticulum
Ribosomes
Golgi
Apparatus
Lysosomes
-series of folded membranes in the cell
-tiny circular organelles attached to the endoplasmic reticulum
-folded membranes inside the cytoplasm
-small sacs inside the cytoplasm
-provides the cell with energy through the process of respiration
-carries materials through the cell
-clean-up crew
-breaks down large proteins to be reused by the cell
-protein storage
-creates vesicles to carry proteins out of the cell
-contain proteins to break down large molecules into smaller molecules
-kills and digests invading organisms
X
X
X
X
X
X -lungs
X -small intestine
X -stomach
X -large intestine
X -white blood cell.