Cell Research Quest!

What is a Cell? A cell is the smallest unit of life.

Your body is made up of trillions of cells with each one working hard to produce proteins.

These proteins are used as building blocks for many different things. For example, your hair and nails are made up of a special protein made by cells.

However, in order to carry out this important task, cells are made of tiny structures that work together. These tiny structures are called organelles.

CELL MEMBRANECELL MEMBRANE

OrganellePlant,

Animal, or Both?

FunctionThis cell part is just like…

Cell Membrane

▪ Both Surrounds the outside of the cell.

▪Controls what substances can enter and exit the cell

▪Gatekeeper

CELL WALLCELL WALL

OrganellePlant,

Animal, or Both?

FunctionThis cell part is just like…

Cell Wall Plant ▪ Surrounds the cell membrane ;It is a tough and rigid covering made of cellulose

▪ Gives a plant shape, support, and protection

Tough, Outer Fence

CYTOPLASM (Cytosol)CYTOPLASM (Cytosol)

OrganellePlant,

Animal, or Both?

FunctionThis cell part is just like…

Cytoplasm (cytosol)

▪Both ▪ Jelly-like fluid in cell

▪Holds all other organelles in place

▪ Jell-O

NUCLEUSNUCLEUS

OrganellePlant,

Animal, or Both?

FunctionThis cell

part is just like…

Nucleus Both ▪ The nucleus is protected by a nuclear membrane. This membrane protects the nucleus allowing certain materials to enter and exit through pores.

▪ Nucleus controls and directs all of the cell’s activities

▪ The nucleus also protects a cell’s genetic

material called chromatin. Another word for chromatin is DNA. DNA contains all the instructions for how a cell should grow and what proteins it should make.

▪ Brain

NUCLEOLUSNUCLEOLUS

OrganellePlant,

Animal, or Both?

FunctionThis cell part is

just like…

Nucleolus ▪ Both ▪ Dark region inside the nucleus

▪ The site where ribosomes are made

▪ Center of tootsie roll pop

RIBOSOMESRIBOSOMES

OrganellePlant,

Animal, or Both?

FunctionThis cell part is just like…

Ribosome ▪ Both ▪Small, grain-like bodies floating in the cytoplasm or attached to the Endoplasmic Reticulum

▪Responsible for making proteins

▪ Factory Worker

Endoplasmic ReticulumEndoplasmic Reticulum

OrganellePlant,

Animal, or Both?

FunctionThis cell part is

just like…

ER ▪ Both ▪ A maze of tube-like membranes.

▪ Rough ER: studded with ribosomes

▪ Smooth ER: does not have ribosomes

▪ Rough ER: Acts as a passageway for protein material sending it to the Golgi body

▪ Smooth ER: Acts as a passageway for non-protein material (fats and carbohydrates)

Subway Tunnel

GOLGI BODYGOLGI BODY

OrganellePlant,

Animal, or Both?

FunctionThis cell

part is just like…

Golgi body

▪Both ▪Flattened stacks of membrane (looks like pita bread)

▪Works to package, tag, and ship a protein to its destination inside or outside of the cell.

▪ Mailroom

VESICLEVESICLE

OrganellePlant,

Animal, or Both?

FunctionThis cell part is just like…

Vesicle Both ▪ Small membrane sacs

▪ Transports proteins from one part of the cell to another

▪ Factory Car

VACUOLEVACUOLE

Organelle

Plant, Animal,

or Both?

FunctionThis cell part is just

like…

Vacuole ▪Both ▪Plants –Have 1 large vacuole filled with mostly water

▪Animals – Have many smaller vacuoles filled with food

▪Plant = Swimming Pool

▪Animal=Refrigerator

LYSOSOMELYSOSOME

OrganellePlant,

Animal, or Both?

FunctionThis cell part is just like…

Lysosomes ▪ Both ▪ Small membrane sacs

▪ Contains special chemicals to digest food, old cell parts, or waste

▪ Garbage Disposal

MITOCHONDRIAMITOCHONDRIA

OrganellePlant,

Animal, or Both?

FunctionThis cell

part is just like…

Mitochondria

▪ Both ▪ A jelly-bean structure with an outer membrane and inner membrane which is folded.

▪ Produces usable energy for the cell by breaking down sugar called glucose (powerhouse of the cell)

▪ Battery

CHLOROPLASTCHLOROPLAST

OrganellePlant,

Animal, or Both?

FunctionThis cell

part is just like…

Chloroplast ▪ Plant Only

▪ A green, jelly-bean structure with an outer and inner membrane

▪ Captures sunlight and uses it to produce food (glucose) for a plant cell

▪ Solar panel