Cellular structures and organelles

• There are 4 structures found in all cells: cytoplasm, a control center, ribosomes, and a cell membrane.
• Organelles are specialized structures found within a cell, they all have a specific job/function.
• The cell membrane is also known as the plasma membrane. It separates the inside of the cell from the outside and it regulates what comes inside and outside of the cell. It’s mostly made of proteins and lipids. The cell membrane is found in all cells.
• Cytoplasm is an interior, semifluid substance that contains all the organelles except for the nucleus. It’s found in all cells.
• All cells have a control center. This contains the coded information in the form of DNA. DNA stores the instructions for regulating cell functions and for the reproduction of the cell.
• Ribosomes produce proteins, they technically aren’t organelles as they aren’t membrane bound, and they come together during protein synthesis. They are found in all cells.
• The cell wall is an inflexible barrier only found in prokaryotic cells and plant cells. It provides support, protects, and keeps the inside separate from the outside.
• The nucleus is the control center of the cell and contains coded directions for protection of proteins and cell division. It also holds DNA. The nucleus is found in both plant and animal cells (only eukaryotic cells).
• Rough ER (Endoplasmic Reticulum) transports proteins. (like a highway). This is present in both plant and animal cells (only eukaryotic cells).
• The Golgi apparatus modifies and packages proteins for transportation. It looks like a flattened stack of tubular membranes (Like the UPS factory). This is found in plant and animal cells (only eukaryotic).
• Vesicles are found in both plant and animals cells (only eukaryotic) and are used for transportation. They are like the UPS truck. The vesicles bud off of the Golgi and can move around.
• The vacuole is in both plant and animal cells for storage of materials.
• The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell. It generates ATP (energy). It is a membrane bound organelles found in Eukaryotes (plant and animal cells).
• Chloroplasts are found in some prokaryotes and all plant cells. They are usually green with a yellow membrane and they capture light energy and convert it into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
• A lysosome eliminates waste in a cell.