Cell Organelle Project

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

FUNCTION: assembly of many proteins ANALOGIES: Cake, Conveyer Belt, Assembly Line HOME: Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum is found in both plan and animal cells. FACTS: Rough ER has ribsomes attached to it. It manufactures proteins. Endoplasmic Reticulum transports the substances made around the cell so that it can be exported. Golgi bodies receive substances from ER for export.

Nucleus

FUNCTION: controls what is going on in the cell ex: movement, eating, reproduction ANALOGIES: Brain, Headquarters of a Factory, Computer HOME: Nucleus is found in both plant and animal cells. FACTS: The nucleus has a double membrane (the nuclear envelope) around it. The nuclear membrane joins up with the endoplasmic reticulum. The nucleus contains chromosomes which are made of DNA and associated proteins called histones. The nucleus contains genes that hold the information needed to make proteins.

Chloroplasts

FUNCTION: converts light energy from the Sun into sugar that can be used by the cell ANALOGIES: Power Plant, Solar Panels, Wall Paper HOME: Chloroplasts are only found in a plant cell. FACTS: Chloroplasts are used for photosynthesis. They have a double membrane around them. The space inside them is called the stroma. The space may contain starch grains and lipid bodies. In the stroma are structures called thylakoids.

Lysosomes

FUNCTION: digest old organelles, food particles, and engulfed viruses or bacteria. ANALOGIES: Garbage Man, Janitors, Landfill HOME: Lysosomes are found only in animal cells. FACTS: Lysosomes hold enzymes that were created by the cell. The purpose of them are to digest things. They might be used to digest food or break down the cell when it dies

Cytoplasm

FUNCTION: fills up space in a cell ANALOGIES: Icing on a Cupcake, Water in a Bathtub, Jello Cups HOME: Cytoplasm is found in both plant and animal cell. FACTS: Cytoplasm helps the cell move proteins, chromosomes and other material, including the cells organelles, around the cell.

Cell Membrane

FUNCTION: keeps the cell pieces and fluids inside and doesn't let anything bad in. The holes are there to let somethings go in and out. ANALOGIES: Guards, Doors, Border of a country HOME: Cell membrane is found in both plant and animal cell. FACTS: Membranes are made of a fluid double layer of lipid, with proteins scattered around in it. The model of this structure is the fluid mosaic model. The membrane controls the way that substances enter and leave cells.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

FUNCTION: make cellular products like hormones and lipids ANALOGIES: Cake, Smooth Road, Conveyer Belt HOME: Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum is found in both plant and animal cells. FACTS: The endoplasmic reticulum manufactures substances in the cell. It is a set of flattened membrane sheets. Smooth ER contains enzymes that manufactures fats, phospholipids and steroids. Proteins for use in the cell are made by ribosomes free in the cytoplasm.

Ribosomes

FUNCTION: makes protein ANALOGIES: Car Factory, Book Publisher, Ladder HOME: Ribosomes are found in both plant and animal cells. FACTS: Many ribosomes float around in the cytoplasm. Ribosomes are created in the nucleus. These proteins can then be used by the cell for other purposes, such as to build new structures, repair damage, and direct chemical reactions.

Golgi Apparatus

FUNCTION: modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and the transportation of lipids around the cell ANALOGIES: Post Office, Shipping Department of a Company, Distribution Department of a Company HOME: Golgi Apparatus is found in both plant and animal cells. FACTS: The Golgi body receives substances from the endoplasmic reticulum. It is made of a stack of membrane-bound sacs. The cell wall of a plant cells is exported to the outside of the membrane by Golgi bodies.

Cell Wall

FUNCTION: protects and provides structural support for the cell ANALOGIES: Walls, Foundation of a House, Gate Outside a City HOME: Cell wall is found only in a plant cell. FACTS: Cell walls are made of cellulose. The cell wall is rigid and strong, it prevents cells from bursting as they absorb water by osmosis. Cell walls work with the vacuole to make a cell turgid and to help support the plant. The fibers of a cell wall are laid down in different directions to add strength.

Nucleolus

FUNCTION: rewrites ribosomal RNA and combine it with proteins ANALOGIES: Gas Tank, Construction Workers, Factory Workers HOME: Nucleolous is found in both plant and animal cells. FACTS: The nucleolus produces ribosomes.

Vacuoles

FUNCTION: stores food or any nutrients a cell might need ANALOGIES: Sprinkles on a cupcake, Kitchen, Grocery Store HOME: Vacuoles are found in both plant and animal cells. FACTS: Vacuoles play a part in plant structure. Vacuoles are much larger in plant cells than in animal cells. They can even store waste products.

Mitochondria

FUNCTION: take in nutrients, breaks them down, and creates energy rich molecules for the cell ANALOGIES: Sugar in cupcakes, Digestive System, Battery HOME: Mitochondria is found in both plant and animal cells. FACTS: Mitochondria provide energy in the form of ATP. Mitochondria have a double membrane around them. The inner membrane is highly folded to form structures called cristae. The inner section is called the matrix.