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Cell Vocabulary
Cell Vocabulary
The following parts work together to help the cell stay alive and do its job, whether it’s a plant cell or an animal cell!
Cell Membrane
Cell Membrane
Cell membrane - The cell membrane is a thin, flexible outer layer of the cell.
The cell membrane is semi-permeable; it controls what moves in and out of the cell.
It is like a gatekeeper or a screen on a window because it keeps bugs out but it lets fresh air in.
All cells (animal and plant) have a cell membrane.
Cell Wall
Cell Wall
Cell wall = Protects and supports the cell.
Plants, fungi, and bacteria are forms of life that have cell walls.
It is strong like the great wall of china.
Plants have a cell wall as well as a cell membrane.
Centrioles
Centrioles
Centrioles are made of microtubules.
Centrioles move the chromosomes during cellular division, like mitosis and meiosis.
Centrioles move chromosomes around with spindles.
Chloroplasts
Chloroplasts
Chloroplasts - These organelles are like solar panels. They are found in plant cells.
They absorb the sun's energy and help plants to produce food.
🌳🌲🎋🌴
Chromosomes
46 chromosomes are found in the nucleus of a typical human cell; they are coiled bundles of DNA.
DNA can have many forms. It is only visible when it is coiled up as chromosomes.
These chromosomes (made of DNA) are the instructions for the cell and your body. They are blueprints or code for your body.
They are like reference books that tell the cell and body what to do and how to do it.
Cytoplasm
Cytoplasm
Cytoplasm is a jelly-like mixture of water, chemicals and floating organelles. It holds organelles in place. Chemical reactions occur there.
The cytoplasm is like Jell-O with fruit floating in it. Fruit chunks are the organelles.
Cytoskeleton
Cytoskeleton
The cytoskeleton helps to move the cell and maintain its shape.
It provides structure. 🦴🦴🦴
DNA
DNA
DNA = Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid.
DNA is a molecule that holds the instructions for your body. It can be found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. In bacteria, DNA can be found in the cytoplasm.
Therefore, DNA is a blueprint or code that tells your body how to work.
DNA can have many forms. It is only visible when it is coiled up as chromosomes.
This is a segment of a DNA molecule.
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Endoplasmic Reticulum
The endoplasmic reticulum is a network of tubes that helps make and transport proteins and other materials.
The ER is like a highway system for cell.
This endoplasmic reticulum is like a network of roads throughout a cell.
There are two types of ER:
Rough ER: Rough ER has ribosomes attached. Ribosomes make proteins. The rough ER is like an industrial road that is lined with many factories. Protein is made and shipped there.
Smooth ER: Doesn't have ribosomes. Smooth ER makes lips (fats). Smooth ER holds steroids and ions. It helps detoxify the cell.
Ribosomes (factories) along the endoplasmic reticulum (roads) make it rough.
Eukaryote
Eukaryote
You are a eukaryote. Your cells have membrane-bound nuclei.
In contrast, bacteria are called prokaryotes because the do not have defined nuclei.
Golgi Apparatus
Golgi Apparatus
This is like the post office for the body.
It sends and receives packages of chemicals. The GA sorts and sends packages to where they are needed in the cell.
Lysosome
Lysosome
In animal cells, lysosomes contain enzymes that digest cellular waste.
This is a special type of vacuole that breaks down large molecules and cell parts. It cleans up. It recycles.
It is like a Pacman inside the cell.
Microtubules
Microtubules
Microtubules make up the cytoskeleton.
They are like the individual bones of your skeleton. 🦴🦴🦴
The mitosis process allows you to grow. It replaces dead or old cells. It makes your toes grow...
Mitochondria
Mitochondria
This is the power plant of the cell.
Food that you eat is converted to energy in the form of ATP.
Mitochondria are found in high concentrations in muscles. Muscles need a lot of energy to work.
Nucleus
Nucleus
This is the control center of the cell. It holds the DNA, a very large molecule that stores the instructions for the body.
Therefore, the nucleus is like a reference library.
The nucleus directs the cell. Therefore the nucleus is the boss.
Nucleolus
Nucleolus
This is found in the nucleus and it makes ribosomes.
(Ribosomes are like factories that make proteins for the body.)
Prokaryote
Prokaryote
Bacteria are prokaryotic. They do not have a defined nucleus. A prokaryote has few (if any) membrane-bound organelles.
Ribosomes
Ribosomes
Ribosomes are like factories because they make protein.
Proteins are the building blocks of the cell.
Ribosomes are found on the rough endoplasmic reticulum. In fact they make the ER rough.
Ribosomes can be free in the cytoplasm or found on the endoplasmic reticulum.
Vacuole
Vacuole
Stores wastes, water, and food. It is like a closet.
Plant cells usually have a big central vacuole, while animal cells have smaller ones.
These are traveling packages that carry supplies throughout the cell.
They are shipped in between the Golgi apparatus and the cell membrane.
These parts work together to help the cell stay alive and do its job, whether it’s a plant cell or an animal cell!
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