Download Parts of a Cell: Plants and Animals

Parts of a Cell:
Plants and Animals
• Plant cells are characterized by a thick cell wall
and small bodies within the cytoplasm called
chloroplasts, which give the green colour to the
plants. These tiny structures are the primary
food factory for all living things on Earth.
• Photosynthesis within the chloroplast is also
responsible for producing the oxygen in the air
you breathe.
• Both animal and plant cells have some
similar structural elements.
• Animal and plant cells have a cell
membrane that surrounds the cell. This
allows for the cell to exert control, in most
cases, over what can penetrate the cell
and what cannot.
Cell Membrane
• The cell is surrounded by
a flexible double-layered
cell membrane.
• The function of the cell
membrane is both to
support the cell and to
allow some substances to
enter while keeping
others out.
• Because of this ability,
the cell membrane is
called a “semi-permeable
membrane.”
Nucleus
• The nucleus is the large
control centre of a cell,
directing all of the cell's
activities.
• Chromosomes that
contain your DNA are
stored in this organelle.
• The nucleus is separated
from the rest of the cell by
the nuclear membrane.
DNA
• Chromatin is a “threadlike” material inside the
nucleus.
• This material contains
genetic information called
DNA (deoxyribonucleic
acid), a substance that
chromosomes are
composed of that makes
up the genetic code.
Mitochondria
• The mitochondria is
sometimes referred to as
the powerhouse of the
cell.
• Mitochondria are largely
responsible for providing
the cell with energy from
glucose (sugar) through a
process called cellular
respiration.
Endoplasmic Reticulum
• The endoplasmic
reticulum is a threedimensional network of
branching tubes and
pockets.
• It extends throughout the
cytoplasm from the
nuclear membrane.
• These fluid-filled tubes
transport materials, such
as proteins, through the
cell.
Ribosomes
• Found on the
endoplasmic
reticulum or free in
the cytoplasm.
• Proteins are made
in this organelle.
Golgi Bodies
• Golgi bodies collect and
process materials to be
removed from the cell.
• They also make and
secrete mucus.
• Cells that secrete a lot of
mucus, such as cells
lining the intestine, have
many Golgi bodies.
Cytoplasm
• All the organelles inside the cell are
suspended in the cytoplasm.
• The cytoplasm is mostly water, but it also
contains many other substances that the
cell stores until they are needed.
• Many chemical reactions take place within
the cytoplasm.