Cell Structure
& Function
http://koning.ecsu.ctstateu.edu/cell/cell.html
Definition of Cell
A cell is the smallest unit that is
capable of performing life
functions.
Examples of Cells
Amoeba
Plant Cell
Red Blood Cell
Nerve Cell
Organelles
• Organelles are the parts of the cell that
perform different functions.
• There are 11 main organelles (9 for animal
cells)
“Typical” Animal Cell
http://web.jjay.cuny.edu/~acarpi/NSC/images/cell.gif
“Typical” Plant Cell
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/images/plant3.gif
Cell Parts
Organelles
Surrounding the Cell
Cell Wall
• Gives shape and support
to cell
• Plants and protists, like
algae, have cell walls
• Fungi, like yeasts and
mushrooms, also have
cell walls
• Bacteria and Archae also
have cell walls, but they
are different from plant
and fungi
• Animal cells DO NOT
have cell walls
Cell Membrane
• “Gatekeeper” of the cell
that controls what can
come in or out of the cell
• Semi-permeable
Inside the Cell
Nucleus
• Controls the cell’s
activities
• It’s like the “boss”
or the “brains” of
the cell
• DNA is found
inside the nucleus
Nuclear Membrane
• The
“gatekeeper” of
the nucleus
• Protects the
outside of the
nucleus
• Controls what
can go in or out
of the nucleus
Chromosomes
• Long pieces of DNA
inside the nucleus
• Come in pairs-one
from your mom and
one from your dad
• Humans have 23
pairs of
chromosomes, 46
total chromosomes
Cytoplasm
• Soupy, Jell-O like
substance that
holds all
organelles inside
the cell in place
Ribosomes
• Each cell contains
thousands
• Make proteins for the
cell
Mitochondria
• Makes energy (ATP) by
breaking down fats and
carbohydrates
• Controls level of water and
other materials in cell
• If your mitochondria wasn’t
working properly, you
wouldn’t be making enough
energy and may feel very
tired!!
Lysosomes
• Digest proteins, fats,
and carbohydrates
• Clean up cell’s waste by
sending them to the cell
membrane for disposal
Vacuoles
• Storage centers for
both plant and animal
cells
• Much larger in plant
cells because of the
storage of water
• Gives plant cells
shape (along with cell
wall)
Chloroplast
• ONLY found in plant
cells
• Contains chlorophyll,
which is where plants
get their green
pigment
• Where
photosynthesis takes
place
Match That Part!
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Cell Membrane
Cell Wall
Chloroplasts
Mitochondria
Ribosomes
Lysosomes
Vacuole
Chromosomes
Nucleus
Nuclear Membrane
Cytoplasm
• Controls what goes in/out of
nucleus
• Controls cell activities
• Creates proteins for cell
• Contains/long pieces of DNA
• Gives the cell shape and
support
• Controls what goes in/out of
cell
• Contains chlorophyll for
photosynthesis
• Storage of food and water
• Gobbles up the waste
• Jell-O like substance that
holds parts in place
• Produces energy for the cell
How to Write an Analogy
• An analogy is a comparison between two
seemingly unlike things, using the words
like or as and giving an explanation.
• For example:
-The nucleus is to a cell as Mrs. Opferman
is to Webb Bridge Middle School
• Now you practice will cell parts!
– The nucleus is to a cell as _______is to a
________________.
Animal
Both
Plant