Cell Structure and Functions Quiz

Cell Membrane

• Surrounds the outside of the cell
• Controls what substances can enter and exit the cell
• Separates the cell from neighboring cells
• Acts like a security guard

Cytoplasm (Cytosol)

• Jelly-like fluid inside the cell
• Includes the organelles
• Fills the space between the cell membrane and the nucleus
• The liquid, watery part of cytoplasm is called cytosol
• Acts like Jell-O

Nucleus

• Controls and directs all of the cell's activities
• Protects the cell's genetic material (chromatin, also known as DNA)
• DNA contains the instructions for protein synthesis
• Protected by a nuclear membrane (double membrane)
• Allows certain materials to enter and exit through nuclear pores
• Acts like the brain

Ribosomes

• Small, grain-like bodies, floating in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum
• Site of protein production
• Acts like a work bench or a conveyor belt

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (Rough ER) and Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (Smooth ER)

• System of membranes connecting the nuclear membrane to the cell membrane
• Rough ER has ribosomes on it. It provides a surface for chemical reactions.
• Acts as channels for storage or transport
• Smooth ER is involved in making and transporting lipids.
• Acts like a massive shipping facility

Golgi Body

• Flattened stacks of membranes (looks like pita bread)
• Packages, tags, and ships proteins to their destinations inside or outside of the cell
• Packages are membrane-surrounded "bubbles" called vesicles
• Acts like a mailroom

Lysosomes

• Small membrane sacs or spheres
• Contains enzymes to digest food, old cell parts, and waste
• Acts like garbage disposal

Mitochondria

• Jelly-bean shaped structure with an outer membrane and inner membrane (folded)
• Produces usable energy for the cell by breaking down glucose
• Acts like a battery or power station of the cell

Cytoskeleton

• Consists of microfilaments and microtubules
• Helps give the cell its shape
• Assists with movement of materials and organelles inside the cell
• Acts like the roads and pathways of the cell

Cilia

• Fine, hair-like projections on the outside of some cells
• Moves substances over the surface of a cell or the whole cell
• Acts like hair

Flagella

• One (or two) singular projections on the outside of some cells
• Moves the whole cell
• Acts like a tail

Inclusions

• Chemicals that are not considered part of the cell, but are found in the cytoplasm of some cells
• Examples include hemoglobin (red pigment in red blood cells) and melanin (pigment in skin, hair, and the iris)