Mr. Vallee’s
Plant and Animal Cells
Student Handout
http://www.purchon.com/biology/cells.htm
http://www.brainpop.com
Plant and Animal Cells
Anatomy of generalized Plant and Animal Cells http://www.cellsalive.com/
http://www.purchon.com/biology/cells.htm
There are three main regions:
1. Organelles - Structures inside of cells with a particular function in life
process of cells (like an organ in a body – heart, liver, kidney)
2. Cell membrane (plasma)– the outer cell boundary that holds the parts of
the cell together, also separates the cell from its surroundings
a. fragile/transparent
b. like a baggie, but more
3. Nucleus – controls the cells activities/located near the center.
1. surrounded by cell membrane
2. enclosed in its own membrane
3. shape conforms to shape of cell
4. cell reproduction
chromosomes – contain info (blueprint) about characteristics of the
organism, when cells reproduce, identical chromosomes go into each new
cell (DNA).
Other regions of a cell:
Cytoplasm – jelly-like substance containing many chemicals to keep cell
functioning. Like the factory area of the cell.
1. Has 3 elements
a. cytosol – fluid that suspends other elements
b. inclusions – chemical substances
c. organelles
2. Contains several organelles (little organs)
a. Mitochondria – releases energy from food (sausage shaped)
HOW?
1. Takes in: Food, Oxygen, Water = Energy
2. Then: Energy produces waste (carbon dioxide)
b. Vacuoles – storage of water, food, waste
c. Golgi apparatus - flattened sacs modify/package proteins;
sacs fill up > sacs erupt > go outside cell
Two Organelles that make plant/animal cells different
1. Plant has a cell wall – rigid, gives it strength
2. Plant has chloroplasts – makes food
Lysosome – small, ball-shaped organelles that help the cell break down
nutrients and old cell parts. They are present in animal cells, but are rare in
plant cells.
Endoplasmic Reticulum – is a system of membranes and tubes. The
membranes twist and turn through the cell providing passages through which
materials can pass.