The following is a glossary of animal cell terms:
cell membrane - the thin layer of protein and fat that surrounds the cell.
The cell membrane is semipermeable, allowing some substances to pass into
the cell and blocking others.
centrosome - (also called the "microtubule organizing center") a small body
located near the nucleus - it has a dense center and radiating tubules. The
centrosomes is where microtubules are made. During cell division (mitosis),
the centrosome divides and the two parts move to opposite sides of the
dividing cell. The centriole is the dense center of the centrosome.
cytoplasm - the jellylike material outside the cell nucleus in which the
organelles are located.
Golgi body - (also called the golgi apparatus or colgi complex) a flattened,
layered, sac-like organelle that looks like a stack of pancakes and is
located near the nucleus. It produces the membranes that surround the
lysosomes. The golgi body packages proteins and carbohydrates into membrane-
bound vesicles for "export" from the cell.
lysosome - (also called cell vesicles) round organelles surrounded by a
membrane that contain digestive enzymes. This is where the digestion of cell
nutrients takes place.
mitochondrion - spherical to rod-shaped organelles with a double membrane.
The inner membrane is infolded many times, forming a series of projections
(called cristae). The mitochondrion converts the energy stored in glucose
into ATP (adenosine triphosphate) for the cell.
nuclear membrane - the membrane that surrounds the nucleus.
nucleolus - an organelle within the nucleus - it is where ribosomal RNA is
produced. Some cells have more than one nucleolus.
nucleus - spherical body containing many organelles, including the
nucleolus. The nucleus controls many of the functions of the cell (by
controlling protein synthesis) and contains DNA (in chromosomes). The
nucleus is surrounded by the nuclear membrane
ribosome - small organelles composed of RNA-rich cytoplasmic granules that
are sites of protein synthesis.
rough endoplasmic reticulum - (rough ER) a vast system of interconnected,
membranous, infolded and convoluted sacks that are located in the cell's
cytoplasm (the ER is continuous with the outer nuclear membrane). Rough ER
is covered with ribosomes that give it a rough appearance. Rough ER
transport materials through the cell and produces proteins in sacks called
cisternae (which are sent to the Golgi body, or inserted into the cell
membrane).
smooth endoplasmic reticulum - (smooth ER) a vast system of interconnected,
membranous, infolded and convoluted tubes that are located in the cell's
cytoplasm (the ER is continuous with the outer nuclear membrane). The space
within the ER is called the ER lumen. Smooth ER transport materials through
the cell. It contains enzymes and produces and digests lipids (fats) and
membrane proteins; smooth ER buds off from rough ER, moving the newly-made
proteins and lipids to the Golgi body, lysosomes, and membranes
vacuole - fluid-filled, membrane-surrounded cavities inside a cell. The
vacuole fills with food being digested and waste material that is on its way
out of the cell.
Plant Cell Terms:
Cell Wall: Extra protection for the plant cell also helps support the plant
cell.
Chloroplast: The organelle where photosynthesis takes place. It contains
chlorophyll, which is the pigment that harvests light energy and produces
sugar and oxygen.