Download Cell Vocabulary Words

Cells – are the building blocks of life, all living things are made up of cells.
Plant Cell Organelles and Their Function
1. Cell Wall – a rigid and strong wall that protects and maintains the shape of the cell
2. Cell membrane – holds all the parts of a cell, every cell is enclosed by a cell membrane that
controls the passage of materials in and out of the cell.
3. Cytoplasm – all organelles of a cell reside in this gel-like substance
4. Nucleus – “control center” (brain) and contains the DNA for the cell
5. Nucleolus- located inside the nucleus and produces RNA in the form of ribosomes
6. Chromatin- part of the nucleus that contains most of the DNA
7. Chloroplast- (plant cell only) contains chlorophyll, which makes up the green substance in the
plant, and is where photosynthesis takes place
8. Golgi Apparatus- prepares proteins and fats produced in the endoplasmic reticulum for
transport to the outside the cell
9. Mitochondria – “power house”, converts nutrients into energy for the cell to use
10. Ribosome – makes proteins
11. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum – transports materials throughout the cell
12. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum -, covered with ribosomes, transports materials throughout
the cell
13. Vacuole – most of the plants cells only have one large vacuole, and it is filled with fluid and
helps maintain the shape of the cell
Animal Cell Organelles and Their Function
1. Cell membrane - same as plant cell
2. Cytoplasm - same as plant cell
3. Nucleus - same as plant cell
4. Nucleolus- same as plant cell
5. Chromatin- same as plant cell
6. Golgi Apparatus- same as plant cell
7. Mitochondria - same as plant cell
8. Ribosome- same as plant cell
9. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum- same as plant cell
10. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum- same as plant cell
11. Vacuole – helps with digestion by filling with food and waste materials
12. Lysosomes – digestion is the main function
13. Centrioles – (only animal cells) divide into two parts during cell division and they assist in the
cell division process