Cell Organelles
organelle = tiny organ
If you think of a cell like a city, each
organelle would be a building; with
its own structure and job to do.
NUCLEUS
• Description of Structure
– Spherical body usually
near the center of a cell
• Function of Structure
– Controls all cells activities
– Directs Growth and
Reproduction
– Control Center
• City Hall
NUCLEAR MEMBRANE
• Description of Structure
– Thin, two layered
(porous) structure
surrounding nucleus
• Function of Structure
– Controls movement of
materials in and out of
nucleus
– “Nuclear Gatekeeper”
• City Hall Security
NUCLEOLUS
• Description
– Irregular/ Spherical bodies
within nucleus
• Function
– Storehouse of RNA
– Synthesis of RNA to make
Ribosomes
– Disappears during cell
reproduction
• Mayor’s Office inside City Hall
CHROMATIN THREADS
• Description
– Long, tin coiled fibers
containing DNA and
Protein
• Function
– Contains DNA code that
controls all cell reactions
– Carriers genetic code that
determines heredity.
• City Blueprints
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kQpYdCnU14
CELL MEMBRANE
• Structure
– Flexible, thin porous
two-layered structure
surrounding cell
• Function
– Controls movement in
and out of cell
– Shapes and protects
the cell
• Security Fence around City
CYTOPLASM
• Structure
– Semifluid/ jelly-fluid material of cell surrounding
nucleus
• Function
– Main storehouse of chemicals and organelles
– Where chemical reactions of life occur
• City Grounds/ Lawns
ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM (E.R.)
• Structure
– Complex series of membrane
channels that form
branching, net-like maze
from cell membrane to
nuclear membrane
• Function
– Transport of materials
throughout cell
– Divides cell into
compartments
• Highway System
• Description
RIBOSOMES
– Tiny dense bodies which lie on the edges of E.R.
or in clusters in cytoplasm (Free ribosomes)
• Function
– Site of Protein Synthesis
• Factories
GOLGI COMPLEX
• Structure
– Stack of flattened saccules.
“Stacks of stacks.”
• Function
– Synthesis, Storage, Secretion
of Large Molecules
– Package and deliver
molecules outside of cell
– May manufacture lysosomes
• Post Office or Fed-Ex Center
https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_937748&feature=iv&src_vid=LP7xAr2FDFU&v=fKEaTt9heNM
LYSOSOMES
• Structure
– Oval, bag-like structures containing small
particles and enzymes
• Function
– “Suicide Sac”
– Digest food particles
– Digest worn-out organelles
• Recycling Center
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekdIEpSf-1I
VACUOLES
• Structure
– Small bubble or cavities in the
cytoplasm
– Clear/ Colorless
• Function
– Storage of Water and Food
– Helps maintain internal pressure
• City Water tower/ Warehouse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TULYTNhEoE
• Structure
ENDOCYTIC VESICLE
– Sac-like infoldings of cell membrane
• Function
– Transport of food/large particles into cell
– Large Particle Intake
– Forms Vacuoles
• Food Trucks
MITOCHONDRIA
• Structure
– Spherical or Sausage
shaped bodies with
shelf-like membranes
(cristae)
• Function
– Energy Production
– High Number in Active
Cells (muscles)
• Electrical Powerplant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrS2uROUjK4
CENTROSOME WITH CENTRIOLES
• Structure
– Spherical body edges the
nucleus which contains 2
cylindrical centrioles
– T- shaped
• Function
– Helps DNA separate during
cell division
– Where Microtubules are
Made
– Forms Spindle Fibers
• City Construction Office
MICROTUBULES
• Structure
– Tiny tube-like structures
– Hollow, rigid
• Function
– Acts like Cell Skeleton,
Give cell shape
– Makes cell rigid
• Scaffolding, Iron Beam,
Nails, etc.