Cellular Anatomy Overview

Cellular Anatomy

• Organelles are the individual organs of a cell
• Nucleus is the control center for reproduction (containing DNA, hereditary material). It is enclosed by a membrane.
• Nuclear Envelope is the membrane surrounding the nucleus (with pores).
• Nucleolus is inside the nucleus and manufactures ribosomes.
• Ribosomes produce proteins and are located in the cytoplasm or endoplasmic reticulum.
• Cytoplasm is everything between the nucleus and the cell membrane.
• Endoplasmic Reticulum connects the nucleus to the cell membrane and is used for transport.
  • Rough ER processes proteins.
  • Smooth ER processes lipids and carbohydrates.
• Mitochondria are the power source of the cell.
• Chloroplasts are found in plant cells and are where photosynthesis occurs.
• Golgi Apparatus packages and secretes cellular products.
• Lysosomes are enzyme-coated organelles used for digestion.
• Chromatin are strands of genetic material which form chromosomes prior to cell reproduction.
• Vacuole primary function is for storage (often a large central vacuole in plants, used to store water and other materials).
• Cell Membrane regulates what enters and exits a cell.
• Cell Wall provides structure and support for plant cells (animal cells do not have cell walls).

Additional Cellular Structures

• Centrioles (T-shaped or barrel-shaped) are used to pull chromosomes apart during cell division.
• Plants do not have centrioles, but have similar structures called centrosomes.
• Fungi and bacteria have cell walls, but their designs differ.