Download Inside the Cell - Riverdale Middle School

LOOKING INSIDE CELLS
How Do the Parts of a Cell
Work?
 The parts of a cell work together.
 Each kind of cell structure has a different
function within a cell.
Cell Wall
 A rigid layer that surrounds the cells of plants
and some other organisms
 Protects and supports the cell
Cell Membrane (The Gatekeeper)
 Controls which substances pass into and out
of a cell (food particles, water, and oxygen)
 Prevents harmful materials from entering the
cell
Cytoplasm
 A thick, clear, gel-like fluid
 Moves constantly within the cell
 Organelles are suspended in the cytoplasm
Organelles in the Cytoplasm
 Nucleus
 Mitochondria
 Endoplasmic Reticulum
 Ribosomes
 Golgi Apparatus (Golgi Bodies)
 Vacuoles
 Chloroplasts
 Lysosomes
Nucleus
 Acts as the control center of the cell
 Contains information for directing a cell’s
functions (chromaosomes - DNA)
 Makes ribosomes which produce proteins
(nucleolus)
Mitochondria
 The “power house” of the cell
 Converts energy stored in food to energy the
cell can use to live and function (cellular
respiration)
Endoplasmic Reticulum
 Network of membranes
 Produces many substances
 Helps attached ribosomes make proteins
Ribosomes
 Small grain-shaped
 Made in the nucleolus
 Produce proteins
Golgi Apparatus (The Warehouse)
 Receives proteins and other newly made
substances from the ER
 Packages the materials
 Distributes the materials to the parts of the
cell
Vacuole
 Stores water, food, and other materials
needed by the cell
 Plants have a larger vacuole because they
store more water.
Chloroplasts
 Captures energy
from the sun and
changes it into
energy the cell
can use to make
food
(photosynthesis)
 Found in plant
cells and some
protists like algae
Lysosomes
 Contains
substances that
break down large
food particles
(enzymes)
 Breaks down old
cell parts and
recycles them
How Do Cells Work Together
in an Organism?
 In a unicellular organism, all of the functions
of life are carried out by one cell. Plants and
animals are made of many cells. They are
multicellular organisms.
All cells in a multicellular organism must carry out key
functions, such as getting food, oxygen, and water to
remain alive. The cells also perform a specific function that
benefits the entire organism. These types of cells are
called specialized cells. One type of cell that carries
oxygen to other cells and can squeeze through narrow
spaces is the red blood cell. Another specialized cell that
relays information to other cells is called the nerve cell.
When specialized cells work together to
perform a specific function, it is called a
tissue. Muscle cells work together to
form muscle tissue. When groups of
tissues work together to perform a
specific function, it is called an organ.
Muscle tissue and other types of tissue
work together to form an organ like the
stomach. When groups of organs work
together to perform a specific function,
it is called an organ system. The
stomach and other organs like the
esophagus work together to form an
organ system. When groups of organ
systems work together, an organism is
formed. The digestive system works
together with all organ systems to form
an organism.