Cell Parts and Their Functions

Nucleus
- Large Oval body near the centre of the cell.
- The control centre for all activity.
- Surrounded by a nuclear membrane.
Nucleoplasm
- is the protoplasm in the nucleus.
- contains genetic material ---> CHROMOSOMES (DNA)
Nucleolus
- is found in the nucleus.
- contains more genetic information (RNA)
Cell Membrane
- the outer boundary of the cell.
- it separates the cell from other cells.
- it is porous ---> allows molecules to pass through.
Cell Wall ( Plant Cells Only )
- non living structure that surrounds the plant cell.
- protects + supports the cell.
- made up of a tough fibre called cellulose.
Cyto Plasm
- cell material outside the nucleus but within the cell
membrane.
- clear thick fluid.
- contains structures called organelles.
Vacuoles
- are clear fluid sacs that act as storage areas for food,
minerals, and waste.
- in plant cell the vacuoles are large and mostly filled
with water. This gives the plant support.
- in animal cells the vacuoles are much smaller.
Mitochondria
- power house of the cell.
- centre of respiration of the cell.
- they release energy for cell functions.

- small structures that contain enzymes which

are used in digestion.
- if a lysosome were to burst it could destroy
the cell.
Organelles and Their Functions
In this lab you will look at the eukaryotic cells of
plants and animals. Eukaryotic cells are distinguished
from the more primitive prokaryotic cells by the
presence of 1) cytoplasmic membranous
organelles, 2) a nuclear membrane (i.e. a true
nucleus), and 3) chromosomal proteins. In this lab
we will focus primarily on organelles, their functions
within the cell and how they differ between plant and
animal cells.
Think of the cell as a microscopic city. Like a real city it
requires many services to keep it clean and running
smoothly. Think of some of the services a real city
needs: traffic control, waste disposal, and authority
figure just to name a few. Like our imagined city a cell
needs the same services. Organelles are the workers
that provide these services. The following is a list
describing the various functions of some common
organelles.
The NUCLEUS (mayor of city hall)
The nucleus houses the majority of genetic material of
a cell. The nucleus is the brain of the cell and
controls all activity within the cell. Using DNA as a
blueprint
(like the blueprints of a city) the nucleus directs the
production of proteins. You will learn about this
process in the DNA Transcription and Translation
lab.
A nucleus with the DNA coiled into chromatin.
Electron microscope picture of a nucleus
RIBOSOMES (lumber or brick yard)

Chloro Plasts ( Plant cells only )

- contains a green pigment known as chlorophyll which
is important for photosynthesis.
Ribosomes
- tiny spherical bodies that help make proteins.
- found in the cyto plasm or attached to the endo
plasmic reticulum.
Endo Plasmic Reticulum ( ER )
- systems of membranes throughout the cyto plasm.
- it connects the nuclear membrane to the cell
membrane.
- passageway for material moving though the cell.
Golgi Bodies
- tube like structures that have tiny sacs at their
ends.
- they help package protein.
Lysosomes
- " suicide sacs "

The ribosomes carry out manual labor in the form of

protein synthesis for the nucleus. They bring together
all the raw ingredients such as RNA (copies of the
original DNA blueprints) and amino acids to assemble
proteins. The proteins created are essential to cell and
organismal function. Think of proteins as machinery
for cell functions much like electricity and plumbing are
essential in a real city. For example, enzymes are a
type of protein without which life could not exist.
The large and small subunits of ribosomal RNA
translating an mRNA strand into a polypeptide chain.
Refer to DNA Transcription and Translation for further
reading.
The ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM (highways
and road systems)
There are two types of endoplasmic reticulum
(ER) Smooth ER andRough ER. This
extensive network makes up approximately one

half of all membranous tissue of the cell and is

the site of membrane and protein synthesis.
The ER system is much like a road system along
which industry can be found. Goods are
manufactured and shipped to needed areas via
the road system. Rough ER is named for the
presence of ribosomes along its membrane and
is the source of proteins. Smooth ER lacks
ribosomes and is responsible for lipid synthesis
and processes a variety of metabolic processes
such as drug detoxification.
CELL MEMBRANE (City Border) and CELL
WALL (City Wall)
Cell membranes are found in animal cells
whereas cell walls are found in plant cells. Cell
walls and membranes have similar functions.
Like a city perimeter, cell membranes surround
the cell and have the ability to regulate
entrance and exit of substances, thereby
maintaining internal balance. These
membranes also protect the inner cell from
outside forces. Cell walls, as the city analogy
implies, are much stronger than cell
membranes and protect cells from lysing
(exploding) in extremely hypotonic (diluted)
solutions. You will learn more about these
concepts in the Biological Membranes lab.
CYTOSKELETON (steel girders)
The cytoskeleton makes up the internal
framework, like the steel girders that are the
framework for buildings in a city that gives each
cell its distinctive shape and high level of
organization. It is important for cell movement
and cell division (mitosis).

Picture of a cells cytoskeleton- a complex

network of tubules and filaments.
CYTOPLASM (lawns and parks)
Cytoplasm is a semi-fluid substance (think
gelatin) found inside the cell. The cytoplasm
encases, cushions and protects the internal
organelles. It is the cell landscape found in any
space where organelles are not and therefore is
much like the lawns and parks of our city.

The cytoplasm is the substance surrounding the

visible vacuoles in this cell.
GOLGI APPARATUS (post office)
Like a post office, the golgi apparatus is used
for shipping those goods created by the ER and
ribosomes to the rest of cell.
CHLOROPLASTS (solar energy plant)
Chloroplasts are organelles found only in plant
cells. Like a solar energy plant they use sunlight
to create energy for the city. Chloroplasts are
the site of photosynthesis a process in which
the plant uses carbon dioxide, water and
sunlight to create energy in the form of glucose
for the plant cell as well as heterotrophs that
consume the plant.
Artist rendition of a chloroplast- site of
photosynthesis in plant cells.
MITOCHONDRIA (energy plant)
Mitochondria are found in both plant and animal
cells and is the site of cellular respiration.
Through this process that will be covered in the
Photosynthesis and Respiration lab ATP is
created which is used for energy by the cell.
LYSOSOMES (waste disposal and
recycling)
The lysosomes are digestive sacs that can
break down macromolecules in the cell using
the process of hydrolysis. The digestion is
carried out with lysosomal enzymes found in
the lysosome. Like waste disposal in a city,
lysosomes help keep excessive or bulky
macromolecules from building up in the cell.
VACUOLES and VESICLES (warehouses,
water towers or garbage dumps)
Think of these membrane sacs that have a
variety of functions as containment units for
anything in excess in a city. They can hold
many substances from organic molecules to
simple excess water. Plant cells have a central
vacuole that is important in maintaining
plant turgidity

Squamous cells have the appearance of thin, flat plates. They fit closely together in tissues; providing a smooth, lowfriction surface over which fluids can move easily. The shape of the nucleus usually corresponds to the cell form and
helps to identify the type of epithelium. Squamous cells tend to have horizontally flattened, elliptical (oval or shaped
like an egg) nuclei because of the thin flattened form of the cell. Classically, squamous epithelia are found lining
surfaces utilizing simple passive diffusion such as the alveolar epithelium in the lungs. Specialized squamous epithelia
also form the lining of cavities such as the blood vessels (endothelium) and pericardium (mesothelium) and the major
cavities found within the body.
Cuboidal
As their name implies, cuboidal cells are roughly cuboidal in shape, appearing square in cross section. Each cell has a
spherical nucleus in the centre. Cuboidal epithelium is commonly found in secretive or absorptive tissue: for example
the (secretive) exocrine gland the pancreas and the (absorptive) lining of the kidney tubules as well as in the ducts of
the glands. They also constitute the germinal epithelium that covers the female ovary.
Columnar
Columnar epithelial cells are elongated and column-shaped. Their nuclei are elongated and are usually located near the base of the cells.
Columnar epithelium forms the lining of the stomach and intestines. Some columnar cells are specialized for sensory reception such as in
the nose, ears and the taste buds of the tongue. Goblet cells (unicellular glands) are found between the columnar epithelial cells of the
duodenum. They secrete mucus, which acts as a lubricant.
Pseudostratified
These are simple columnar epithelial cells whose nuclei appear at different heights, giving the misleading (hence "pseudo") impression
that the epithelium is stratified when the cells are viewed in cross section. Pseudostratified epithelium can also possess fine hair-like
extensions of their apical (luminal) membrane called cilia. In this case, the epithelium is described as "ciliated" pseudostratified epithelium.
Cilia are capable of energy dependent pulsatile beating in a certain direction through interaction of cytoskeletal microtubules and
connecting structural proteins and enzymes. The wafting effect produced causes mucus secreted locally by the goblet cells (to lubricate
and to trap pathogens and particles) to flow in that direction (typically out of the body). Ciliated epithelium is found in the airways (nose,
bronchi), but is also found in the uterus and Fallopian tubes of females, where the cilia propel the ovum to the uterus.
(1) simple squamous; which is found lining areas where passive diffusion of gases occur. e.g. walls of capillaries, linings of the pericardial,
pleural,and peritoneal cavities, as well as the linings of the alveoli of the lungs.
(2) simple cuboidal: these cells may have secretory, absorptive, or excretory functions. examples include small collecting ducts of
kidney,pancreas and salivary gland.
(3) simple columnar; found in areas

with extremely high secretive (as in wall of the stomach), or

absorptive (as in small intestine)

areas. they possess cellular extensions (e.g. microvilli in the

small intestine, or cilia found almost

exclusively in the female reproductive tract).

(4) pseudostratified epithelia; they

are also called respiratory epithelium. this is due to their

almost exclusive confinement to the larger
respiratory airways i.e. the nasal cavity, trachea,
bronchi e.t.c