What are Some Important Factors of Cell Structure and Function?
All cells can be classified as either eukaryotic or prokaryotic.
Both plant and animal cells are eukaryotic.
Plant and animal cells have very different structures and functions.
Definitions of Different Cell Parts (AKA Organelles)
Plant Cell:
Vacuole: The storage unit in plants. It hold a lot of water which helps provide stability to the cell and plant. Vacuoles can sometimes be found in animal cells but they are always found in plant cells and are much larger in plant cells than they are in animal cells.
Cell wall: A rigid layer that surrounds the plant cells. Its main function is to provide rigidity, strength, and protection against mechanical stress and infection.
Chloroplast: Elongated or disc-shaped organelle that contains chlorophyll. IT is the site for photosynthesis in a plant cell.
Animal Cell:
Centriole: The anchor for the cytoskeleton and become prominent only during cell division.
Both
Nucleus: The nucleus is the organelle that is the information centre for the cell. It controls the cell and holds DNA.
Mitochondrion: Produces energy for the cell. Food is broken down into small sugar molecules to make ATP, the primary energy source for cells.
Lysosome: Lysosomes contain enzymes that break down everything that the cell no longer needs, such as damaged organelles or other waste. they are the garbage collectors of the cell.
Cell membrane: The cell membrane keeps all the organelles inside the cell, while at the same time keeping unwanted materials out.
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum: The smooth endoplasmic reticulum is a tubular organelle who is responsible for creating lipids (fats) and carbohydrates for the cell. However, it differs from the rough ER because it does not contain ribosomes.
Rough endoplasmic reticulum: The rough endoplasmic reticulum is attached to the nucleus and is a series of flattened sacs. It creates certain proteins that the cell needs to function properly. The rough ER is covered in ribosomes, giving it a rough appearance.
Ribosome: A factory that helps in manufacturing proteins for the cell by following instructions of the nucleus.
Golgi apparatus: Flattened stacks of membrane-bound sacs. It looks like the ER and is located near the nucleus. It's function is to modify proteins made by the cell and transport proteins to cell parts.
Cytoplasm: The fluid substance that fills the cell and maintains its osmotic concentration, preventing it from bursting or shrinking. All the cell organelles are suspended in the cytoplasm.