Nucleus
Directions:
1. Use the information below to fill in
investigation handout.
Description:
All eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, including plant and
animal cells. The nucleus is an organelle that holds the
organism’s genetic information (or DNA). The genetic
information carries all the information needed to build
all the parts of the cell and the whole organism. The
nucleus also directs the functions of the structures
within the cell.
Analogy: The nucleus is like the capitol building in
Austin, which contains all the information needed to
run the state of Texas.
2
Time:
3-5 min
Microscopic
image of a
nucleus
Plant Cell
Animal Cell
Mitochondria
MITOCHONDRIA
Directions:
1. Use the information below to fill in
investigation handout.
Description:
Mitochondria are organelles found in eukaryotic cells.
They provide energy for the cell so it can perform its
function. When you eat foods containing sugar or other
organic compounds, mitochondria transform these
compounds into other organic compounds that the cell
uses for energy.
Analogy: Mitochondria are like chefs who take food and
use it to prepare meals.
3
Time:
3-5 min
Microscopic
image of a
mitochondrion
Plant Cell
Animal Cell
CYTOPLASM
Directions:
1. Use the information below to fill in
investigation handout.
4
Time:
3-5 min
Microscopic
image of a
mitochondrion
Description:
Plant Cell
The cytoplasm is everything inside the cell, including
the organelles and watery material inside the
organelles and in-between them. The cytoplasm is
mostly water that inflates the cell like water in a
waterbed. The pressure created by the water inside the
cell is known as Turgor pressure. If the Turgor pressure
is to high (too much water), then the cell might burst.
The cytoplasm is where most of the chemical reactions
occur inside the cell.
Analogy: The cytoplasm is like the jell-o that holds all of
the fruit.
Animal Cell
Cell Membrane
Directions:
1. Use the information below to fill in
investigation handout.
Description:
The cell membrane wraps around the cell and separates
the inside of the cell from the outside. In plants, the cell
membrane is located just under the cell wall. All
material entering or leaving the cell must pass through
the cell’s membrane. It only allows some things to
enter the cell, like water and sugar, and protects the cell
from harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses.
Analogy: The cell membrane is like a balloon. It soft and
able to stretch and flex.
5
Time:
3-5 min
Microscopic
image of a cell
membrane
Plant Cell
Animal Cell
Cell Wall
Directions:
1. Use the information below to fill in
investigation handout.
6
Time:
3-5 min
Microscopic
image of a cell
wall.
Description:
Plant Cell
Plant cells and not animals cell have a cell wall. The cell
wall is more firm and rigid than the cell membrane. For
plants, the cell wall provides physical support and
protection. Plants to not have a skeleton like us, so they
need something else to support their weight. The wall
built from sugar molecules, which are organic
compounds.
Analogy: The cell wall is like the rubber on a car tire. It
is both firm and bendable and protects the softer tube
inside.
Animal Cell
Large Vacuole
Directions:
1. Use the information below to fill in
investigation handout.
Description:
Most plants cells contain a large vacuole. This organelle
used to store water, waste, and other organic and
inorganic compounds. Sometimes, it is so large that it
takes up 80% of the space inside the cell. When the
vacuole is full, it pushes on the cell wall and provides
more support. When the vacuole is empty, the cell
becomes weak and unable to support its weight. This is
why plants droop when they are not given enough
water. The pressure inside the cell created by water is
known as turgor pressure.
Analogy: The vacuole is like a water balloon that
becomes firm when it is filled with water.
7
Time:
3-5 min
Microscopic
image of a
plant vacuole
Plant Cell
Animal Cell
Chloroplast
Directions:
1. Use the information below to fill in
investigation handout.
8
Time:
3-5 min
Microscopic
image of a
chloroplast
Description:
Plant Cell
Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant cells and not
animal cells. Most plants do not eat food like animals,
and must generate their own food using
photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, Chloroplasts
use two inorganic compounds, carbon dioxide (CO2) and
water (H2O), plus sunlight to build an organic
compounds, glucose. Chloroplast provide the sugar
(glucose) needed by mitochondria to create usable
energy for the organism.
Analogy: Chloroplast are like farmers that grow food,
which is later used by the chef (a mitochondrion).
Animal Cell
Protein Synthesis Organelles
10
Time:
3-5 min
Directions:
1) SUMMERIZE THE INFORMATION BELOW AT
THE BOTTOM OF THE FOLDABLE
Description:
Golgi Apparatus
Proteins are large, organic compounds that can perform many
different functions. For example, collagen is a protein found in
your skin tissue, allowing it to bend and stretch. Myosin
proteins allow your muscle cells to contract, allowing you walk
and lift objects. One major function of the cell is to synthesize
proteins.
Ribosomes use the cells genetic information to synthesize
proteins.
Proteins that remain in the cell are made by
ribosomes in the cytoplasm. Proteins that leave cell are made
by ribosomes on the endoplasmic reticulum. Proteins made
in the endoplasmic reticulum are then moved the golgi
apparatus where they are sorted and shipped out of the cell.
These three organelles are found in both plant and animal
cells.
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Ribosomes