Cells and Organization

Introduction: Congratulations! You have made it far enough to wander into the CELL! In this section, you are going to see what a eukaryotic cell looks like as well as what each part does.

Definitions (All from “Human Biology” by Mader, Sylvia S.)

Cell: Smallest unit of life.

Eukaryotic Cell: Type of cell that has a membrane bound nucleus and membranous organelles.

Prokaryotic Cell: Type of cell that lacks a membrane-bounded nucleus and organelles.

Here is a labeled eukaryotic cell from http://www.daviddarling.info/images/plant_cell.jpg. It shows how cells are organized. Further down, you will find information on what each part does.

Explanations of the parts of the cell are from “Human Biology” by Mader, Sylvia S.

Plasma (Cell) Membrane: Outer surface that regulates what comes in and out of the cell.

Microtubles: cylinders of protein molecules present in cytoplasm, centrioles, cilia, and flagella.

Centrosome: microtubule organizing center that play a part in mitosis.

Lysosome: vesicle that digests.

Vesicle: membrane bound sac that stores and transports substances.

Cytoplasm: semifluid matrix that holds everything in the cell.

Nucleus: powerhouse of the cell.

Chormatin: diffuse threads containing DNA and protein

Nucleolus: region that produces subunits of ribosomes

Endoplasmic Reticulum: Rough à studded with ribosomes

Smooth à no robosomes, synthesizes lipid molecules

Ribosomes: particles that carry out protein synthesis

Mitochondria: carries out cellular respiration producing ATP molecules

Golgi Apparatus: Processes, packages, and secretes modified cell products.

Conclusion: Well, there you have it! Different parts of the cells, what they do, and a diagram to show you how they are organized. Further on, you will find the first part of the home lab project that will go over this. Next up is cell action.