BIO 2 GO!

Upon successful completion of this unit, you should be able to do the following:
1.
Explain and describe the structure and function of a cell and the nucleus of a cell.
2.
Explain and describe the role of DNA in the nucleus.
3.
List and describe the function of 10 cellular organelles.
4.
Be able to use the following words in their correct context:
Cell
Nucleus
DNA
RNA
Ribosome
Chloroplast
Mitochondrion
Cell wall
Cell membrane
Lysosomes
Golgi Complex
Vacuole
Endoplasmic reticulum
Organelle

The smallest and simplest basic unit of life is the cell. A cell is a membrane-
covered structure that contains all of the materials needed for life. Every living thing, both plant and animal, is made of cells. There are similarities in all animal cells and similarities in all plant cells. In fact, there are even similarities between plant and animal cells!
Most cells contain a nucleus.
The nucleus is a membrane-covered organelle that serves 2 functions:
1) The nucleus contains the cell’s DNA and
2) The nucleus serves as a control center for the cell.
1. DNA
As you recall, DNA is the code, or blueprint for making a new organism. Every cell with a nucleus contains DNA in the nucleus. Whenever a cell wants to reproduce, it must make new DNA for the offspring.
2. Control Center
The nucleus of the cell tells the rest of the cell what to do. The nucleus is the “brains” of the cell. The nucleus is in charge of all of the cell’s functions. If something happens to the nucleus, the cell dies.

REMEMBER THIS!!!
All living things are made of cells. Each cell contains a nucleus that controls the activities of the cell and stores the DNA for the cell.
Interesting Scientific Fact: Not all cells look alike. Those cells with a similar function usually look alike. Those cells with a different function do not look alike.
All skin cells tend to look the same. However, a skin cell is different from a muscle cell. The longest cells in the human body are nerve cells. Nerve cells can be more than 1 meter long!
Question 1. Explain what you know about cells.
Question 2. What are the 2 functions for the nucleus?
Question 3. Where is the nucleus located?

Cellular Organelles
A cellular organelle is a special structure located in a cell. The following organelles are found in almost every cell. They are under the control of the nucleus. They each contribute to the well being of the cell. It is important that you are able to list and explain the function of each of these cellular organelles.
1.
nucleus – contains the cell’s DNA and is the control center of the cell
2.
ribosomes – the site where amino acids are hooked together to make proteins
3.
endoplasmic reticulum – makes lipids and packages protein for use outside of the cell.
4.
mitochondria – the site where food molecules are broken down to make ATP
(energy).
5.
chloroplasts – found in green plants only; the site where food is made for the plant by using the energy of sunlight (photosynthesis occurs here).
6.
Golgi complex – packages and transports materials out of the cell
7.
vacuole – a bag-like structure that stores water for the cell to use
8.
lysosomes – are structures that digest wastes, foreign invaders, and
broken cell parts.
9.
cell wall – found in plants only; rigid structure that surrounds and provides
support for each plant cell
10.
cell membrane – a phospholipids layer that surrounds every cell and acts as
a barrier between the inside and outside of a cell.

The Cell and Nucleus
3216 a
The cell is the basic unit of life. Some organisms are made of only one cell
(unicellular), while others are made of billions of cells (multicellular). Organisms are very different yet the cells they are made of are very similar.
A cell’s job is to make molecules and to eventually reproduce itself. The cell makes molecules for its own use, or to be used elsewhere outside of the cell. The
cells make proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.
Most cells have a nucleus. In the nucleus is DNA, a material that holds the
genetic code for all of the proteins that the cell needs to make. The nucleus is surrounded by a nuclear membrane. It has large pores to let RNA in and out, but
DNA is so large, it cannot get out of the nucleus.

_____ 1. cell
_____ 2. nucleus
TEST YOURSELF
_____ 3. DNA
_____ 4. ribosome
_____ 5. chloroplast
_____ 6. mitochondrion
_____ 7. cell wall
_____ 8. lysosomes
_____ 9. Golgi complex
_____ 10. vacuole
_____ 11. endoplasmic reticulum
_____ 12. cell membrane a. joins amino acids to make a protein b. organelle that can carry out photosynthesis c. organelle that can carry out cellular respiration d. the basic unit of life e. store DNA f. a molecule that holds the code for all of the proteins that a cell needs to make g. structure that digests waste, foreign invaders h. hard covering that surrounds plant cells i. bag-like structure that holds water in the cell j. organelle that packages and transports materials out of the cell. k. makes lipids and packages protein for use outside of the cell. l. protective covering surrounding all cells

_____ 1. Some organisms are made of only one cell.
_____ 2. Some organisms are made of billions of cells.
_____ 3. The cells in different organisms are very different.
_____ 4. The cells in different organisms are very similar.
_____ 5. The nucleus can make glucose using the light from the sun.
_____ 6. The nucleus can join amino acids to make a protein.
_____ 7. The nucleus stores DNA.
_____ 8. The nucleus stores molecules that hold the code for all of the proteins that a cell needs to make.
_____ 9. The ribosomes can make glucose using the light from the sun.
_____ 10. The ribosomes can join amino acids to make a protein.
_____ 11. The chloroplasts can make glucose using the light from the sun.
_____ 12. The chloroplasts can join amino acids to make a protein.
_____ 13. The mitochondria can make glucose.
_____ 14. The mitochondria can break apart glucose.
_____ 15. A cell only needs its nucleus to be able to make its proteins .
_____ 16. The endoplasmic reticulum makes DNA
_____ 17. Lysosomes protect the cell by digesting unwanted substances.
_____ 18. Lysosomes digest DNA and cell wall components.
_____ 19. Vacuoles are bag-like structures that contain the endoplasmic reticulum.
_____ 20. Vacuoles are bag-like structures that contain water for the cell to use.
_____ 21. Only plants have a cell wall.

cells ribosomes nucleus proteins
DNA amino acid chloroplasts cellular respiration photosynthesis mitochondria
1. There are several similar structures within the ___________ of different organisms.
2. The organelles within a cell must work together to make a cell’s
_______________.
3. The code for the _________________ sequence of a protein is stored in the
__________ molecules.
4. The ______________ is the organelle that holds the DNA molecules.
5. The _____________________ join together the amino acids to make a protein.
6. The _________________ provide the energy needed to build proteins by breaking glucose apart to release its stored energy.
7. ________________________ is the name of the process in which glucose is broken down.
8. _____________________ are the organelles that are capable of using light energy to make glucose.
9. _______________________ is the name of the process in which glucose is made.

1. Why are cells called the basic unit of life?
2.
What is in the nucleus of a cell? What does it do?
3.
What is the function of ribosomes?
4.
What is the function of chloroplasts?
5. What is the function of mitochondria?