Cell

Structure &
Function
Warm-Up
"If a cell were a factory, what
roles would different parts of the
cell play?"

Cell membrane Golgi Apparatus

Cytoplasm Vacuole
Nucleus Cell Wall
Ribosomes Chloroplasts
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Mitochondria
Lysosomes
 Cell Membrane
The cell membrane is like the cell's security
guard - it's a flexible barrier that surrounds
the cell and controls what enters and exits.

Made of a double layer of lipids (fats), it allows

essential nutrients like water and oxygen to
pass through while keeping harmful substances
out.

Think of it as a selective doorway that

maintains the cell's shape and protects its
internal environment.
 Nucleus
The nucleus is the cell's control center - like the brain of
the cell! This large, round organelle contains the cell's DNA,
which holds all the instructions for how the cell should
function and reproduce.

Surrounded by a double membrane called the nuclear

envelope, the nucleus controls all cellular activities
including growth, metabolism, and reproduction. It's where
genetic information is stored and where important molecules
like RNA are made.

Think of it as the cell's library and command center all in

one!
 Cytoplasm
The cytoplasm is the cell's busy workspace - like a thick,
jelly-like soup that fills the space between the cell
membrane and the nucleus! This gel-like substance is where
most of the cell's important work happens.

Made mostly of water, salts, and proteins, the cytoplasm

holds all the cell's organelles in place and provides a
medium for chemical reactions to occur. It's constantly
moving and flowing, helping to transport materials
around the cell and distribute nutrients where they're
needed.

Think of it as the cell's kitchen and highway system

combined - always bustling with activity!
 Mitochondria
Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell! These tiny, bean-
shaped organelles are where cells produce most of their energy
(ATP) through a process called cellular respiration.

With their unique double membrane structure - a smooth

outer membrane and a folded inner membrane called cristae -
mitochondria convert glucose and oxygen into the energy
currency that keeps cells alive and functioning.

Interestingly, mitochondria have their own DNA and can

reproduce independently, which is why scientists believe they
were once free-living bacteria that formed a partnership with
early cells billions of years ago!
 Ribosomes
Ribosomes are the cell's protein factories! These tiny,
round structures are found floating in the cytoplasm or
attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. They read the
instructions from DNA (carried by messenger RNA) and
use those instructions to build proteins by linking amino
acids together in the correct order.

Think of ribosomes as skilled craftsmen following a

blueprint - they take raw materials (amino acids) and
assemble them into the specific proteins that cells need
to function, grow, and repair themselves. Without
ribosomes, cells couldn't make the proteins essential for
life!
 ER
(endoplasmic
reticulum)
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the cell's highway
system! This network of interconnected membranes
extends throughout the cytoplasm, connecting the
nucleus to other parts of the cell.

There are two types: Rough ER (covered with ribosomes)

manufactures and modifies proteins, while Smooth ER
produces lipids and detoxifies harmful substances. Think
of it as the cell's factory floor and shipping network -
constantly busy transporting materials and producing
essential molecules the cell needs to survive!
 Golgi
Apparatus
The Golgi apparatus is the cell's packaging and
shipping center! This stack of flattened, membrane-
bound sacs receives proteins and lipids from the
endoplasmic reticulum, then modifies, packages, and
ships them to their final destinations within or outside the
cell.

Think of it as the cell's post office - it sorts, labels, and

packages molecular "mail" before sending it off to where it
needs to go. The Golgi apparatus ensures that proteins get
the right chemical tags and modifications they need to
function properly in their designated locations!
 Lysosome
Lysosomes are the cell's cleanup crew! These small,
round organelles are filled with powerful digestive
enzymes that break down waste materials, worn-out
cell parts, and harmful substances that enter the cell.

Think of lysosomes as the cell's recycling center

and garbage disposal system - they digest
unwanted materials and recycle the useful parts back
to the cell. Without lysosomes, cells would become
cluttered with waste and eventually stop functioning
properly!
 Vacuole
Vacuoles are the cell's storage tanks! These large, fluid-
filled sacs act like cellular warehouses, storing water,
nutrients, and waste products. In plant cells, the central
vacuole is especially important - it's like a giant water
balloon that helps keep the plant upright and rigid by
maintaining water pressure.

Think of vacuoles as the cell's pantry and water reservoir

combined - they store essential materials when they're
abundant and release them when the cell needs them. They
also help maintain the cell's shape and can even store
pigments that give flowers their beautiful colors!
 Chloroplast
Chloroplasts are the cell's solar panels! These green, oval-shaped
organelles are found only in plant cells and are responsible for
photosynthesis - the amazing process that converts sunlight, carbon
dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen.

Packed with chlorophyll (the green pigment that captures light

energy), chloroplasts contain stacks of membranes called thylakoids
where the magic of photosynthesis happens. Think of chloroplasts as
the cell's kitchen and power plant combined - they cook up food
using sunlight as fuel and produce the oxygen we breathe as a
bonus!

Without chloroplasts, there would be no plants, no oxygen, and no life

as we know it on Earth!
 Cell Wall
The cell wall is like a sturdy protective armor
that surrounds plant, fungal, and bacterial cells.
Made mainly of cellulose in plants, this rigid
structure acts as both a bodyguard and a backbone -
it keeps the cell's shape, prevents it from bursting
when it absorbs water, and shields it from damage.

Unlike the flexible cell membrane inside it, the cell

wall is tough and semi-permeable, helping plants
stand tall and strong while filtering what passes
through. Think of it as nature's ultimate construction
material!
Cell Structure & Function
 Exit Ticket
Name 3 organelles and their functions....

1. Organelle: _____ 1. Organelle: _____

2. Function: _____ 2. Function: _____

1. Organelle: _____
2. Function: _____