Cell Organelles

Cell Wall

Rigid layer of nonliving material that surrounds the cells of plants only
Helps to protect and support the cell
Made of cellulose
Only in plant cells

Cell Membrane

All cells have a cell membrane
If it is a plant cell, then the cell membrane is located just inside the cell wall
Controls what substances come into and out of the cell
Everything the cell needs from food to oxygen, enters the cell through the cell membra

Nucleus

Brain" of the cell
You can think of the nucleus as the cell's control center, directing all the cell's activities
Nuclear envelope: a protective layer that lets materials pass in and out of the nucleus
Nucleolus: A small structure inside the nucleus. Rib

Cytoplasm

Cytoplasm is the region between the cell membrane and the nucleus
A clear, thick, gel-like fluid. Fluid is constantly moving. Many organelles are found in the cytoplasm

Mitochondria

Known as the "powerhouse" of the cell
They convert energy in food molecules to energy your cells can use
rod-shaped; many of them
Make energy in the form of ATP
This is where cellular respiration occurs

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Maze of passageways
The ER's passageways carry proteins from one part of the cell to another
Always surrounds the nucleus
Also found in cytoplasm
Smooth ER: without ribosomes on it
Rough ER: with ribosomes on it

Ribosomes

Small, grain-like bodies
Found attached to the ER or floating in the cytoplasm
Ribosomes function as factories to produce proteins
Once proteins go through the wall of the ER, they will be transported to the Golgi Bodies

Golgi Bodies

Looks like flattened sacs and tubes or pancakes
Cell's "mail room" (or "Fed Ex")
Receive proteins and other newly formed materials from the ER, package them, and distribute them to other parts of the cells

Chloroplasts

Only in cells of plants
Green organelles that capture energy from sunlight and use it to produce food for the plant
Where photosynthesis occurs
Contains pigment called "chlorophyll" which is what makes plants green

Vacuoles

Large, water-filled sac
Storage areas for the cell
Store food and other materials need by the cell as well as waste products
Plant cells have one large, central vacuole
Animal cells have small vacuoles or none at all

Lysosomes

A small, round cell structure containing chemicals that break down materials in the cell
Break down old cell parts and release substances to be used again
Think of them as the "clean-up" or "lysol" of your cell