Organelles

Vacuoles

Function - The central vacuole stores water and helps keep plant tissue firm. Analogy - Lunch Box

Centrioles

Function - During cell division, centrioles organize microtubules that pull the chromosomes (orange) apart. The centrioles are at the center of rays of microtubules, are not in plant cells Analogy - Straw

Peroxisomes

Function - Peroxisomes are abundant in liver and kidney cells, where they neutralize free radicals (oxygen ions that can damage cells) and detoxify alcohol and other drugs. Analogy - a toxic waste dump, gets rid of all the toxic stuff

Nuclear Envelope

Function - Provides passage ways for RNA Analogy - Bridges, they provide passage ways for people

Ribosomes

Function - Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis, where RNA is translated into protein. When cells need large numbers of proteins, they must first build numerous ribosomes. Because protein synthesis is Analogy - A city cell analogy for ribosomes is a restaurant. It provides the citizens with protein just ribosomes which provide nutrients for the cell.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Function - The ER functions primarily as an intracellular highway, a path along which molecules move from one part of the cell to another. Analogy - its like a high way cars move from one place to another

Cytoskeleton

Function - The cytoskeleton is a network of thin tubes and filaments that crisscrosses the cytosol. The tubes and filaments give shape to the cell from the inside in the same way that tent poles support the shape of a tent. The cytoskeleton also acts as a system of internal tracks. Analogy - The cytoskeleton is like a play-dough mold. The mold keeps the play-dough in the shape that you want it to be in.

Nucleolus

Function - The nucleolus is the site where DNA is concentrated when it is in the process of making ribosomal RNA. Analogy - Construction workers that make the factory (factory = ribosomes)

Nucleus

Function - The nucleus stores the DNA that contains information that tells the cell how to make all of the proteins that control cell function. Nucleus is surounded by a double membrane Analogy - The brain acts like a control center just like the nucleus of a cell

Chloroplast

Function - Uses light energy to make carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water. Analogy - is like a translator, takes one thing and changes it into another

Vesicles

Function - Vesicles carry proteins from the rough ER to the Golgi apparatus. Analogy - Door

Semi-permeable membrane

Function - allows certain types of molecules to pass through but blocks others. Analogy - Chain linked fence

DNA (chromosomes)

Function - carry genes/DNA Analogy - Tree

Cell Membrane

Function - controls what goes in and out of the cells, supports cells. Analogy -a bouncer at a club. A screen door. They control what goes in and out of things/places

Lysosomes

Function - helps break down large molecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and phospholipids. In the liver, lysosomes break down glycogen in order to release glucose into the bloodstream. Certain white blood cells use lysosomes to break down bacteria. Within a cell, lysosomes digest worn-out organelles in a process called autophagy Analogy - Waste disposal

Golgi Apparatus

Function - helps make and package materials to be transported out of the cell Analogy - Post office

Cell Wall

Function - provides support to the cell Analogy - Great wall of China

Mitochondria

Function - transfer energy from organic molecules to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) Analogy - Mid American Energy

Cytoplasm

Function -The region of the cell that is within the plasma membrane and that includes the fluid, the cytoskeleton, and all of the organelles except the nucleus. Analogy - cytoplasm is like those fruit jello cups. The jello is the cytoplasm, and the fruit is everything inside the cell that the cytoplasm holds.