Specialized Cell Structures

Biology Unit 04 Lesson 01

Cell Wall Description:

Rigid outer layer Outside of cell membrane

Function: Support Protection Helps cell maintain its shape

Analogy

Cell Membrane Description:

Outside covering of cell made of lipid bilayer

Function: Barrier between cell and its environment Controls what substances can enter or leave the

cell Provides support and protection, especially in

cells without a cell wall

Analogy

Ribosomes Description:

Made of protein and RNA Very small, spherical shaped

Function: Make proteins

Analogy

Cytoplasm Description:

Jelly-like substance that fills the cell and surrounds the organelles

Function: Fills space between organelles Contains materials needed by the organelles

Analogy

Flagella Description:

Long, thread-like extension of a cell

Function: Helps cell move

Analogy

Cilia Description:

Short, hair-like projection on the cell surface

Function: Used to sweep away things from the cell

surface or help the cell move through fluid

Analogy

Nucleus Description:

Core, central portion of cell

Function: Contains genetic information (DNA) Directs cell activities

Analogy

Nuclear Membrane Description:

Double-layer membrane surrounding the nucleus

Function: Separates nucleoplasm from cytoplasm

Analogy

Nucleolus Description:

Round structure within nucleus Made of protein and RNA

Function: Makes ribosomes

Analogy

Chloroplast Description:

Oval or bean shaped structure with green color

Function: Helps capture sunlight to produce food

(energy) for plants

Analogy

Golgi Apparatus

Description: Flattened sacs called cisternae

Function: Modifies and packages materials created in

the cell for transport (inside or outside of the cell)

Analogy

Lysosome Description:

Small sacs

Function: Use digestive enzymes to breakdown

old/worn-out organelles, viruses or bacteria, and/or food particles

Analogy

Mitochondrion Description:

Spherical or rod-shaped Inner and outer membranes

Function: Converts sugars into ATP (energy) for

the cell

Analogy

Plastid Description:

Double-membrane bound organelle

Function: Involved in food storage; function

depends mostly upon which pigments are present

Analogy

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

Description: System of membranous tubes and sacs with

ribosomes on the surface (making it appear rough)

Function: Helps make and transport new proteins to Golgi

apparatus or outside of the cell

Analogy

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

Description: System of membranous tubes and sacs

Function: Makes lipids Creates and stores steroids Stores ions that cells might need Metabolizes carbohydrates

Analogy

Vacuole Description:

Sacs: smaller in animal cells, larger in plant cells

Function: Store a variety of things such as water,

nutrients, or waste products

Analogy

Vesicle Description:

Small sacs

Function: Stores, transports, or digests materials

within the cell

Analogy