Download AnimalCellLabels.1.2

Animal Cell Labels
Feature
Cytoplasm
Cytoskeleton

Actin filaments
(formerly
Microfilaments)

Intermediate
Filaments

Microtubules
Plasma Membrane
Nucleus

Nucleolus

Nuclear Pore
Description
Jelly-like material that
contains all the contents
of the cell within the cell
membrane and outside
the nucleus
Dynamic network of
protein fibers including
actin filaments,
intermediate filament,
and microtubules.
Long thin flexible fibers
made out of the protein
Actin. Each filament has
two chains twisted
together in a spiral.
Intermediate in size,
found in rope-like
bundles.
Function
Serves as the "molecular
soup" in which the
organelles are suspended
and held together.
Maintains the cell's shape.
Moves organelles and their
products within the cell.
Enables cell to move.
Form a dense web under
the plasma membrane to
which they are attached.
Acts as the tracks that
chloroplasts move on.
Aid in cell-to-cell junctions,
(gives skin its strength) and
support the nuclear
envelope and plasma
membrane.
Small hollow cylinders
Conveyer belts inside the
made of tubulin.
cells that move vesicles,
granules, organelles like
mitochondria, and
chromosomes via special
attachment proteins. Aid in
cell reproduction.
Outer surface of the cell Separates the contents of
consisting of proteins
the cell from the
that span the membrane environment and regulates
surrounded by a
which substances come in
phospholipid bilayer
and out of the cell.
Round membraneContains genetic
bound structure located information (DNA) and
near the center of the
serves as the control center
cell and contains the
for the cell. The nucleus
nucleolus and
controls the synthesis of
chromatin.
proteins in the cytoplasm
through the use of
messenger RNA.
Dark spherical region of Produces ribosomal
chromatin in the nucleus subunits. Malfunction of
that contains proteins
nucleoli can be the cause
and nucleic acids.
for several human diseases.
Tiny holes in the nuclear Nuclear pores serve as
envelope
passageways for water-
Sound

Chromatin

Nuclear Envelope
Chromosomes
Rough Endoplasmic
Reticulum (ER)
Smooth Endoplasmic
Reticulum (SER)
Mass of genetic material
composed of long
relaxed strands of DNA
and proteins
Double-layered
membrane that encloses
the nucleus. The outer
layer is continuous with
the membrane of the
rough endoplasmic
reticulum (ER).
Numerous ribosomes
are attached to the
surface. The outer
membrane is also
continuous with the
inner nuclear membrane
since the two layers are
fused together at
numerous tiny holes
called nuclear pores that
perforate the nuclear
envelope.
It is a single piece of
coiled DNA.
Chromosomes are
normally constant in
number within the
species. Human DNA is
structured into rod-like
structures, found in
pairs in the nucleus.
Folded membranous
sheets and sac-like
structures surrounding
the nucleus and studded
with ribosomes. The
ribosomes only bind to
the ER once it begins to
synthesize a protein
destined for sorting.
System of membranous
channels that is
soluble molecules in and
out of the nucleus. This
transport includes RNA and
ribosomes moving from the
nucleus to the cytoplasm
and proteins moving into
the nucleus.
Condense to form
chromosomes and allow for
transcription of DNA into
RNA.
Encloses the nucleus of the
cell. Protects DNA from
cytoplasmic enzymes.
Chromosomes are the
essential unit for cellular
division and must be
replicated, divided, and
passed successfully to their
daughter cells.
Synthesizes proteins and
packages them in vesicles,
which then commonly go to
the Golgi apparatus. The
RER works with the Golgi
complex to target new
proteins to their proper
destinations.
The smooth endoplasmic
reticulum (SER) has
continuous with
the RER. Same general
structure as the RER
except no ribosomes.

Lipids
Ribosomes
Centrioles
Mitochondria
Naturally occurring
molecules made up of a
glycerol and fatty acid
chains.
Non-membrane bound
particles that contain
two subunits, one large
and one small, a mix of
proteins and RNA. They
are either found freely
in the cytoplasm
or attached to
endoplasmic reticulum.
Free ribosomes and
bound ribosomes are
interchangeable and the
cell can change their
numbers according to
metabolic needs.
Composed 25% of the
cell's mass.
Paired cylindrical
organelles near the
nucleus composed of
nine tubes each with
three tubules. *Not in
plant cells.
Mitochondria are the
second largest
organelles. They have
two membranes (not
one as in other
organelles). The outer
membrane covers the
organelle and contains
it. The inner membrane
folds (cristae) over many
times increasing the
functions in several
metabolic processes,
including synthesis of lipids
and steroids, metabolism of
carbohydrates, regulation
of calcium concentration,
drug detoxification,
attachment of receptors on
cell membrane proteins,
and steroid metabolism
Used as the main
component of cell
membranes to form the
permeability barrier. Lipids
are also involved in energy
storage and cell signaling.
Particles where RNA is
translated into protein
during the protein synthesis
process. Free ribosomes
usually make proteins that
will function in the
cytoplasm. Bound
ribosomes usually make
proteins that are exported
or included in the cell's
membranes.
Major microtubule
organizing center for the
cell. Lie at right angles to
form spindle fibers that
separate chromosomes
during cell division.
Lysosome
Golgi apparatus

Vesicles
surface area inside the
organelle.
Single membrane
vesicles produced by the
Golgi apparatus.
Lysosomes float in the
cytoplasm until they are
needed. They vary in
shape depending on
process being carried
out. They vary in shape
depending on the
process being carried
out.
Symmetrical, stack of
flat membrane-bounded
sacs (cisternae) similar
to a stack of pancakes
located between the
endoplasmic reticulum
and the cell surface.
Small membranebound sac. Vesicles can
fuse with the plasma
membrane to release
their contents outside of
the cell or fuse with
other organelles within
the cell.
A lysosome is a specialized
vesicle that holds a variety
of enzymes to assist
in digesting and recycling
old cell parts.
The Golgi apparatus
processes the proteins and
lipids synthesized in the ER
and sends them through
the plasma membrane.
Vesicles store, transport, or
digest cellular products and
waste.