Cell Structure - Organelles

Question 1

Describe the function of vacuoles

Answer 1

*Membrane-bound organelle
* Fluid-filled sac (containing cell sap)
*Important to maintain turgor pressure.

Question 2

Describe the function of the Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

Answer 2

*Network of membranes enclosing flattened sacs (cisternae).
* Responsible for synthesis and storage of lipids and carbohydrates.

Question 3

Describe the function of the nucleus.

Answer 3

*a membrane-bound organelle.
*stores the cell’s chromosomes
*Directs the synthesis of all proteins required by the cell.

Question 4

Describe the function of the nuclear envelope.

Answer 4

*Double membrane
* Has nuclear pores – DNA cannot fit through these, but RNA can.

Question 5

Describe the function of the cytoplasm.

Answer 5

*Where chemical reactions take place.
*Contains many membrane-bound compartments (organelles

Question 6

Describe the function of the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER).

Answer 6

*Network of membranes enclosing flattened sacs (cisternae).
*Ribosomes bound to the surface.
*Responsible for synthesis and transport of proteins.

Question 7

Describe the function of ribosomes.

Answer 7

*free-floating, or
may be attached to RER.
*Composed of proteins and RNA
*Site of protein synthesis.

Question 8

Describe the function of the plasma membrane.

Answer 8

*lipid and protein
*found in all cells
*Regulates the movement of substances into and out of cell.

Question 9

Describe the function of the mitochondrion

Answer 9

*Double membrane
*Inner membrane forms cristae
*Enzymes in the matrix are involved in respiration.
*Production of ATP.
*Mitochondrial DNA

Question 10

Describe the function of lysosomes

Answer 10

*Membrane bound organelle.
*No clear structure
*Contains digestive (Hydrolytic) enzymes
*Digests worn-out cell parts, waste, and pathogens.
*Apoptosis.
*Made in the Golgi apparatus.

Question 11

Describe the function of the Golgi apparatus

Answer 11

*Membrane-bound organelle, similar in structure to SER.
*Modifies and packages proteins into vesicles.

Question 12

Describe the function of cilia

Answer 12

*Small hair-like structures found on the surface membrane of some animal cells.
*Used by the cell to move substances along the cell surface.

Question 13

Describe the function of chloroplasts

Answer 13

*Double membrane-bound organelle.
*Contains thylakoid membranes inside.
*Site of photosynthesis.

Question 14

Describe the function of centrioles

Answer 14

*Small hollow cylinders
made of microtubules (protein cylinders).
*Involved in the separation of chromosomes during cell division.

Question 15

Describe the function of the cell wall

Answer 15

• Provides support for the cell
• Freely permeable
• Defence against pathogens
• Made of cellulose

Question 16

Describe the function of the nucleolus

Answer 16

*Produces ribosomes.
*Composed of RNA and proteins.