Organelles Flashcards
What is the function of the cell wall?
It gives strength and rigidity to the cell. Gives the cell it’s regular, geometric shape. Allows a plant cell to be turgid.
What does ER stand for?
Endoplasmic reticulum
What is the purpose of the cell membrane?
It is a selectively permeable membrane which allows substances to pass in and out of it. Some substances pass trough by diffusion - trough the lipid bilayer. Other substances passage is controlled by proteins. Many enzymes attach here as well.
What is the purpose of the nucleus?
It contains the DNA - chromosomes - which gives it the information to regulate the metabolism of the cell.
What does the centrioles do?
They move the chromosomes apart during cell division. It is capable of self-replication.
What is the purpose of the endoplasmic reticulum?
It is a greatly expanded surface area for biochemical reactions. Normally exists at or across membrane surfaces. Can be without ribosomes=smooth or with ribosomes=rough (acts as the construction team of the cell)
What are the ribosomes?
They are sites of protein synthesis. They consist of a smaller and a larger piece which both are made up of r-RNA and proteins.
What is the purpose of the cytoplasm?
It is the site of translation. It contains enzymes, sugars nucleotides, water, vitamins and amino acids. It is the nutrient soup or cell sap.
What is the mitochondria?
It is responsible for energy production. Cells which require more energy has more mitochondria. It has it’s own DNA.
What are the chloroplasts/plastids?
Plastids are structures for storage of starch, pigments and other cellular products. Chloroplasts are plastids which store chlorophyll. This is where photosynthesis takes place. Plastids have their own DNA and replicates independently.
What is the purpose of the Golgi apparatus?
This is where proteins get packed into vesicles and and are sent to different parts of the cell. It also produces cellular secretions. They are found associated with smooth endoplasmic reticulum.
What does the vacuole do?
They are membrane-bound sacks. They store such things as excess water, waste products and soluble pigments. They are generally large in plant cells and small in animal cells.
What does the lysosomes do?
They are the main digestive organelles. Lysosomes produce digestive enzymes which help dispose intercellular bacteria, other foreign bodies and unwanted organelles. If they are ruptured, they may destroy the cell.
What is a flagellum?
It is a tail in the front of unicellular organisms.
