This document defines cells and describes their basic structures and functions. It explains that cells are the smallest unit capable of life functions and lists examples like amoebas, plant stems, red blood cells, and bacteria. It then describes the structures common to plant and animal cells, including the nucleus that directs the cell, the cell membrane that controls what enters and exits, the cytoplasm where organelles float, and ribosomes that produce proteins. Organelles like mitochondria that produce energy, vacuoles that store materials, and chloroplasts that conduct photosynthesis in plant cells are also outlined. Lastly, diagrams of a typical animal and plant cell are provided.

1. Cell Structure
& Function
http://koning.ecsu.ctstateu.edu/cell/cell.html

2. Definition of Cell
A cell is the smallest unit that is
capable of performing life
functions.

3. Examples of Cells
Amoeba Proteus
Plant Stem
Red Blood Cell
Nerve Cell
Bacteria

4. Nucleus
• Directs cell activities
• Separated from cytoplasm by nuclear
membrane
• Contains genetic material – DNA
• Found in both plants and animal cells

5. Cell Membrane
• Outer membrane of cell
that controls
movement in and out
of the cell
• Double layer
• Found in both plants
and animal cells
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

6. Cell Wall
• Most commonly
found in plant
cells
• Supports &
protects cells
• Gives the plant
cell its shape.
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

7. Cytoplasm
• Gel-like mixture
• Surrounded by cell membrane
• All other organelles “float” in this
substance.
• Found in both plant and animal cells

8. Ribosomes
• Each cell contains
thousands
• Make proteins
• Found on the
endoplasmic
reticulum (ER) &
floating throughout
the cell
• Both plant and
animals cells
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

9. MITOCHONDRIA
• Organelles that produce
energy from food
• AKA the powerhouse b/c
they release energy from
food
• Some muscle cells have
20,000 mitochondria
• Found in both plant and
animal cells

10. VACUOLES
• Membrane bound
sack
• Stores food, water,
waste
• Plant cells usually
have larger vacuoles
than animal cells to
help give it form by
turgor pressure

11. CHLOROPLASTS
• Green
organelles that
make food
• found only in
plant cells

12. Endoplasmic Reticulum
• Moves materials around
in cell (transport
system)
• Smooth type: lacks
ribosomes
• Rough type (pictured):
ribosomes embedded in
surface
• Found in plants and
animals
• ER is a correct
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html abbreviation

13. Lysosome
Breaks down unwanted
materials in the cell.
This is the cells digestive
system.
•Transports undigested
material to cell membrane
for removal
•Cell breaks down if
lysosome explodes
•Found in both plant and
animal cells.
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

14. Golgi Bodies
• Protein 'packaging
plant‘ (Puts together
proteins for the
cell.)
• Move materials within
the cell
• Move materials out of
the cell
• Both plants and
animal cells
http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/structures.html

15. “Typical” Animal Cell
http://web.jjay.cuny.edu/~acarpi/NSC/images/cell.gif

16. “Typical” Plant Cell
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/images/plant3.gif