organelles Flashcards
Nucleus
Located in Cytoplasm
Controls all activities in cell
Contains genetic material (DNA)
‘brain’
Nucleolus
Dense structure in the nucleus
Aka ‘little nucleus’
Makes ribosomes
‘Factory’
Nuclear Membrane
Double membrane around the nucleus
Aka nuclear envelope
Protects content of nucleus
Controls what enters and leaves the nucleus
Nuclear Pore
On nuclear membrane
Allows materials (ribosomes) in and out of nucleus
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
Found in the cell nucleus
Contains genetic information
Chromatin vs. Chromosome
when DNA is “loose” like a thread, it is called chromatin
When DNA is “condensed,” it is called chromosomes
-DNA condenses into chromosomes before the cell is about to divide
Centrosomes
Aka. microtuble organizing centre
Found in plant & animal cells
In animal cells, centrosomes contain centrioles
In plant cells, centrosomes do NOT contain centrioles
Centriole
Animal cell
Assist in cell reproduction by producing spindle fibres (a type of microfilament)
Assists in the formation of cilia and flagella
Cilia & Flagella
Attached to outside of cell membrane
Allow cells to move
Cilia are tiny hair-like projections
Flagella are long tail-like projection
only some cells have this (i.e. sperm)
Cell Wall
Made of cellulose
Only in plant cells
Protects the cell
Gives shape
Plasmodesmata
Channels in cell walls
Allow communication & transport of materials between adjacent cells
Cell Membrane
Outer covering of cell
Protects cells
Form barrier between cytoplasm & external environment
Regulates what substances enter or leave the cell
Allows food, oxygen, & water into the cell & waste products out of the cell
Cytoplasm
Gelatin-like fluid inside of the cell’s membrane
Nutrients are absorbed, transported, & processed in the cytoplasm
Site of many chemical reactions
Give cell its structure
Cytoskeleton
Internal framework of the cell
Microfilaments allow organelles & the cell to move
Vacuole
Lucid-filled sacs in the cytoplasm
Much larger in plant cells
Stores water, food, waste, starch & other materials
Supports cell
In plants, involved in turgor pressure
Chloroplasts
Used for absorption of light
Only in plants
Have their own DNA
Captures sunlight to
produce glucose & oxygen
(via photosynthesis)
Mitochondria
Bean shaped
Have their own DNA
Breaks down glucose to release energy (ATP), water, & carbon dioxide (via cellular respiration)
ATP is then used by the cell to carry out other activities
Ribosomes
Small spherical structures
Can be free floating in the cytoplasm or attached to ER
Make proteins
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
Connected to nucleus
Network of channels
Carries materials from one part of the cell to another
Rough ER
Ribosomes attached to outside
Make proteins and transport molecules
Smooth ER
Makes lipids
Stores calcium ions
detoxifies cell of drugs
Transports molecules in the cell
Golgi Body
Flattened, fluid filled disks
Package proteins, lipid and carbohydrates into small vesicles
Vesicles
In cytoplasm
Bubble of liquid (made of different molecules)
Store/ Transports material
Lysosome
Spherical sacs
Contain enzymes
Have a pH of approx. 5
Breakdown food particles & worn out cell parts
Can destroy harmful invaders to the cells (i.e bacteria)
“suicide sac”
Peroxisomes
Small vesicles in cell (similar to lysosomes)
Breakdown fatty acids & alcohol
Help make cholesterol
