CELL STRUCTURE FLASHCARDS
Directions:
1. Obtain two Bacterial Cell flashcard sheets. Each sheet has six flashcards illustrating a bacterium.
2. Neatly cut out the six flashcards on each Bacterial Cell sheet for a total of 12 flashcards.
3. Choose one flashcard and write the word “nucleoid” in the space titled ‘Structure.’
4. In the space titled ‘Function,’ describe the function of the nucleoid.
5. Identify the nucleoid in the flashcard illustration and use a color pencil or marker to color it in. You
may instead choose to draw a colored line or arrow pointing at the structure.
6. In column 1 of the table below, you will find the flashcard number for ‘Nucleoid’ is the number “1”.
In the small box located in the corner of the illustration side of the flashcard, write the number “1.”
7. Fold the flashcard along the dashed line. When placed on the table, the flashcard should resemble
a little tent. Other flashcards can then be stacked on top of each other.
8. Repeat steps 3-7 for the other bacterial structures listed in column 2 of the table below.
9. Make an envelope to store your 12 bacterial cell flashcards in. Title the envelope ‘BACTERIAL CELL’
and write your name and period number on it.
10. Repeat steps 1-9 to complete a set of Animal cell and Plant cell flashcards too.
Flashcard
Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Prokaryote
Bacterial cell
Nucleoid
Plasmid
Plasma membrane
Cell wall
Capsule
Ribosome
Cytoplasm
Flagellum (flagella)
Pilus (pili) or fimbriae
Mesosome
Inclusion or granule
Conjugation “F” pilus
Eukaryote
Animal cell
Nucleus
Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)
Mitochondrion
Food vacuole
Contractile vacuole
Golgi apparatus
Cytoplasm
Centrioles
Lysosome
Cilium (cilia)
Microvillus (microvilli)
Cytoskeleton (microtubules,
microfilaments, and intermediate
filaments)
Plant cell
Nucleolus
Plasma membrane
Cell wall
Chromosome
Chloroplast
Central vacuole
Ribosome
Nuclear pore
Vesicle
Peroxisome
Plasmodesmata
Smooth endoplasmic
reticulum (SER)
Fold
Fold
Fold
Structure
Structure
Structure
Function
Function
Function
Fold
Fold
Fold
Structure
Structure
Structure
Function
Function
Function
Fold
Fold
Fold
Structure
Structure
Structure
Function
Function
Function
Fold
Fold
Fold
Structure
Structure
Structure
Function
Function
Function
Fold
Fold
Fold
Structure
Structure
Structure
Function
Function
Function
Fold
Fold
Fold
Structure
Structure
Structure
Function
Function
Function
PROKARYOTE: BACTERIAL CELL
12
5
1
10
2
4
3
6
9
11
7
8
EUKARYOTE: ANIMAL CELL
5
12
11
6
10
Vesicles
SER
9
Ribosome
7
Chromosome
4
12
Peroxisome
Nucleolus
3
1
Nuclear pore
2
8
12
Plasma membrane
EUKARYOTE: PLANT CELL
3
Mitochondrion
9
10
Golgi Apparatus
Cytoplasm
11
7
6
4
2
Nucleus
1
Tonoplast
5
RER
8
12
PROKARYOTE: BACTERIAL CELL
Mesosome — An
extension of the cell
membrane that folds
into the cytoplasm and
increases surface area.
Nucleoid — An area of
the cytoplasm where a
bacterium’s single
circular chromosome
is located.
Capsule — A protective
covering made up of
polysaccharides that
helps keep the bacterium
from drying out.
Plasmid — A small circular
DNA molecule which may be
transferred to other bacteria
through F-pili.
Cell wall — A semirigid casing made of
peptidoglycan that
provides structural
support and shape for
the cell.
Plasma membrane — A
thin sheet of lipid and
protein that surrounds
the cytoplasm and
controls the flow of
materials into and out
of the cell.
Ribosome — Tiny
particles composed of
protein and RNA that
synthesize polypeptides.
Cytoplasm — The gel-like
substance residing within the
cell membrane that acts as a
medium of suspension for a
cell’s ribosomes and inclusions.
F pilus — An elongated,
hollow appendage used
in transfers of plasmids
(DNA) to other cells.
Inclusion / Granule —Stored
nutrients such as fat, phosphate,
or glycogen deposited in dense
crystals or particles that can be
tapped into when needed.
Flagellum — A long whip-like appendage
serving as an organ of locomotion.
Pilus — A short hairlike appendage that
is used to attach the
bacterium to a
surface.
EUKARYOTE: ANIMAL CELL
Cytoskeleton – A network
of protein filaments in a
eukaryotic cell that gives
the cell its shape and
internal organization and is
involved in movement.
Contractile vacuole — A
vacuole involved in osmoregulation by moving
excess water out of the cell.
Microvillus — Short,
membrane protrusion that
increases the surface area of
cells allowing for faster
absorption of nutrients.
Cilium — A short,
hair-like appendage
serving as an organ of
locomotion.
Golgi Apparatus — Modifies, sorts,
and ships substances such as
proteins and lipids to destinations
in and out of the cell.
Vesicle — A membrane sac
that transports substances in
and out of the cell.
SER – A membrane system
where drugs and toxins are
broken down, and steroids
and lipids are made.
Lysosome — A membrane sac
that contains digestive enzymes
that break down large molecules
and damaged organelles.
Ribosome – Comprised of
two subunits made up of
RNA and protein, it is
where polypeptides are
made.
Cytoplasm — The gel-like
substance residing within the cell
membrane and outside the
nucleus. It acts as a medium of
suspension for a cell’s organelles.
Chromosome – A
compact structure visible
under a light microscope
that is made up of DNA
and associated proteins.
Food vacuole— A membrane sac
that stores substances that can be
used as a source of energy.
Peroxisome— A membrane sac
that contains enzymes that
break down hydrogen peroxide
and long fatty acid chains.
Nucleolus – A region of the
nucleus where ribosomal
subunits are made.
Nuclear pore – A hole in the
nuclear membrane that
allows substances to move
in and out of the nucleus.
Mitochondrion— Transfers
chemical energy from sugars,
lipids, and amino acids into ATP.
Nucleus – The control
center of the cell that
regulates all cell activity.
RER – Ribosomestudded membranes
that synthesize lipids
and proteins.
Plasma membrane—A thin sheet of
lipid and protein that surrounds the
cytoplasm and controls the flow of
materials into and out of the cell.
Centrioles – Structures made
of tubulin and associated with
microtubule production.
Cytoskeleton Filaments
Intermediate filaments – A
thread-like structure made
of keratin protein that
helps support cell
organelles and maintain
cell shape. (8 – 12 nm)
Microtubule – Thin, tube-like
structure made of tubulin proteins
that helps support the cell and
transport materials. (25 nm)
Microfilament – A thread-like
structure made of actin protein
that helps the cell move. It also
acts as scaffolding for cell
support. (7 nm)
EUKARYOTE: PLANT CELL
Peroxisome— A membrane sac
that contains enzymes that
break down hydrogen peroxide
and long fatty acid chains.
Cell wall – Made primarily of
cellulose, it protects the cell
from pathogens and prevents
the cell from bursting under
osmotic pressure.
Mitochondrion—
Transfers chemical
energy from sugars,
lipids, and amino
acids into ATP.
Vesicle — A membrane
sac that transports
substances in and out
of the cell.
Golgi Apparatus — Modifies, sorts,
and ships substances such as
proteins and lipids to destinations
in and out of the cell.
Cytoplasm — The gel-like
substance residing within the
cell membrane and outside
the nucleus. It acts as a
medium of suspension for a
cell’s organelles.
Plasmodesmata —
small openings in the
cell wall that allow
cytosol to flow out and
into adjacent cells.
Ribosome – Comprised of
two subunits made up of
RNA and protein, it is where
polypeptides are made.
Central vacuole —A large
vacuole that stores sap. It
also provides turgor to the
cells and tissues of plants
to help keep plants firm
and upright.
Chromosome – A
compact structure visible
under a light microscope
that is made up of DNA
and associated proteins.
Plasma membrane—A
thin sheet of lipid and
protein that surrounds the
cytoplasm and controls
the flow of materials into
and out of the cell.
Nucleus – The control
center of the cell that
regulates all cell activity.
Tonoplast—The membrane
of the central vacuole.
Nucleolus – A region of the
nucleus where ribosomal
subunits are made.
RER – Ribosome-studded
membranes that synthesize
lipids and proteins.
Nuclear pore – A hole in the
nuclear membrane that
allows substances to move
in and out of the nucleus.
Chloroplast—An organelle that contains
the pigment chlorophyll. It converts
solar energy into chemical energy.
SER – A membrane system
where drugs and toxins are
broken down, and steroids and
lipids are made.