Cells

Cellis the basic building block that makes up all living things

Cell Functions

Take in food to store energyGet rid of body wastesMake new cells for growthRelease energyRespond to the environment

nucleus

cell wallcell wallchloroplastschloroplasts

cell membrane

cytoplasm

vacuole

mitochondria

Plant Cell

Animal CellVACUOLE

Cell MEMBRANECYTOPLASM

NUCLEUSMITOCHONDRIA

Cell Parts and Functions

Cell Membrane

Surrounds the cell to help hold it together

Allows materials to move in and out

Works like a gate in a walled city

PICTURE OF A REAL CELL MEMBRANE

It has been magnified so that we can see it!

Nucleus

Contains the chromosomes (DNA) which determines the characteristics

Controls cell reproduction and other functions

Like a king controlling his city

Nucleus seen in a human cheek cell

Cytoplasm

Found between the cell membrane and nucleus

Jellylike substance containing chemicals to keep the cell working

Like the space/air that fills the walled city

Mitochondria

Releases energy from food

Like a power plant producing energy for the city

Vacuoles

Used for storageStores food,

waste, or water

Like a water tower or a garbage dump for the city

Cell Wall (Plants Only)

Outside cell membrane

Rigid layer that supports and protects the plant cell

Like a wall surrounding the city

The cell walls of these onion skin cells can be seen in the

photograph below.

Chloroplasts (Plants Only)

Makes food for the plant cell

Uses sun energy to make food (glucose) and oxygen

Like a restaurant or bakery in the city

An Elodea leaf magnified 400X. The numerous green structures

are chloroplasts.

The Parts of a Cell

Cell MembraneCytoplasmChloroplastCell WallVacuoleMitochondriaNucleus

The Size of Cells

How Big is a Cell?

• Cells have a limit to how big or small they can be.

The head of a pin is about 2mm in diameter. A cell is even smaller. Nearly invisible without magnification, dust mites dwarf pollen grains and human cells. In turn, bacteria and viruses are even smaller.

cell membrane

surrounds cell-holds it together

allows materials to pass in & out of cell

cell

basic building block that makes up all living things

cytoplasm

between cell membrane & nucleus

chloroplast

•found in plant cells

•uses Sun’s energy to

make food (sugar) &

oxygen

cell wall

found in plants outside the cell membrane gives extra support & protection

vacuole

stores H20 & breaks down materials

mitochondria

produce energy by cellular respiration

cytoplasm

cell membrane

mitochondria

chloroplast

cell wall

vacuole

The skin on the Barbie doll is like the cell membrane of a cell because both are outside surfaces, and allow substances to pass in and out of the cell.

Cell Analogy Project

Edible Animal CellEdible Animal Cellcell membrane = plastic bagJello = cytoplasm2 raisins = mitochondria 1 pear = nucleus2 peaches = vacuoles