Cells Notes PDF

Cells Notes! Name: Date: Cells are the basic unit of life! All cells, plant and animal, have structures called organelles and each structure performs a specific function in order for the cell t...

Cells Notes! Name: Date: Cells are the basic unit of life! All cells, plant and animal, have structures called organelles and each structure performs a specific function in order for the cell to maintain life. - The word organelles means “little organs”. Organelles Cell Organelle Organelle Function Cell Membrane - surrounds and protects the contents of the cell ’Skin of the cell’ ( looks like a thin line surrounding the cell ) Cell Wall - are much thicker and more rigid than ’Frame’ membranes, providing support for the plant. - only in plants! Cytoplasm - distributes materials to different parts of the ’soup inside the cell ( a liquid inside the cell, which has grainy- cell’ looking bits in it ) Nucleus - controls the cell’s activities ( a fairly large, ’Command dark, spherical structure that’s usually near the Center’ center of the cell ) Vacuoles - is a membrane-bound sac acting as a storage ’Storage Rooms’ space for surplus food, wastes and other substances the cell is unable to use immediately ( clear, liquid-filled spaces in various places within the cytoplasm ) Chloroplasts - are the structures in which photosynthesis ’Solar Panels’ takes place ( greenish structures found only in a plant cell ) Mitochondria - chemical reactions occur that convert energy ’Powerhouse’ into useable forms ( small circular structure with little stringy bits inside )