Animal Cell Functions Flashcards

Nucleus

• Serves as the control center of the cell, regulating gene expression and cell functions.

Ribosomes

• Responsible for protein synthesis, translating messenger RNA into polypeptide chains.

Nuclear Membrane

• Semi-permeable barrier that regulates the movement of substances into and out of the nucleus.

Mitochondria

• Known as the powerhouse of the cell, it converts energy stored in food into adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Lysosome

• Contains digestive enzymes to break down waste materials and cellular debris, often referred to as the "death sac."

Golgi Bodies

• Function in processing and packaging proteins for secretion or delivery to other organelles.

Vacuole

• Storage organelle for water, nutrients, and waste, providing structural support and maintaining turgor pressure in plant cells.

Cytoplasm

• Gel-like substance that fills the cell, providing a medium where organelles can be suspended and chemical reactions can occur.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

• Acts as a transport system within the cell, with rough ER studded with ribosomes for protein synthesis and smooth ER involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification processes.

Cell Membrane

• Flexible barrier that surrounds the cell, controlling the entry and exit of substances through selective permeability.

Centriole

• Aids in cell division by facilitating the organization of microtubules during mitosis.

Nucleolus

• Located within the nucleus, it is responsible for synthesizing ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and assembling ribosome subunits.

Cytoskeleton

• A network of protein filaments that maintains cell shape and enables cellular movement and organization of organelles.

Microfilament

• Components of the cytoskeleton that provide structural support and allow for cell shape changes, important for motility and division.

Microtubules

• Hollow structures that support the cell's shape, provide tracks for organelle movement, and are critical for cell division by forming the mitotic spindle.