Animal and Plant Cells Review

nucleus

A cell structure that contains nucleic acids, the chemical instructions that direct all the cell's activities. (found in plant and animal cells) You can think of the nucleus as the cell's control center, directing all of the cell's activities. You can think of the nucleus as the cell's control center, directing all of the cell's activities.

cell membrane

A cell structure that controls which substances can enter or leave the cell. (found in all cells) In cells with cell walls, the cell membrane is located just inside the cell wall. In other cells, the cell membrane forms the outside boundary that separates the cell from its environment.

endoplasmic reticulum

A cell structure that forms a maze of passageways in which proteins and other materials are carried from one part of the cell to another. (rough and smooth ER)

cell wall

A rigid layer of nonliving material that surrounds the cells of plants and some other organisms. (found in plant cells not animal cells) The cell wall is made of a tough, yet flexible, material called cellulose.

ribosome

A small grain-like structure in the cytoplasm of a cell where proteins are made. Attached to the outer surface of the endoplasmic reticulum are small grainlike bodies called ribosomes. Other ribosomes are found floating in the cytoplasm. Ribosomes function as factories to produce proteins.

lysosome

A small round cell structure that contains chemicals that break down large food particles into smaller ones. Lysosomes are more common in animal cells than in plant cells.

Golgi bodies

A structure in a cell that receives proteins and other newly formed materials from the endoplasmic reticulum, packages them, and distributes them to other parts of the cell. (passageways) look like a flattened collection of sacs and tubes can be thought of as the cell's mailroom

chloroplast

A structure in the cells of plants and some other organisms that captures energy from sunlight and uses it to produce food. (many large green structures floating in the cytoplasm)

organelles

A tiny cell structure that carries out a specific function within the cell. Many cell organelles are found in the cytoplasm. The organelles function to produce energy, build and transport needed materials, and store and recycle wastes.

vacuole

A water-filled sac inside a cell that acts as a storage area. found in plant (large) and animal (smaller) cells Most plant cells have one large vacuole. Some animal cells do not have vacuoles; others do.

mitochondria

Rod-shaped cell structures (organelles) that produce most of the energy needed to carry out the cell's functions. "powerhouses" of the cell

cytoplasm

The region between the cell membrane and the nucleus; in organisms without a nucleus, the region located inside the cell membrane. clear, thick, gel-like fluid