PARTS AND FUNCTIONS OF

CELLS
 CELL PARTS CHARACTERISTICS AND FUNCTIONS
Cell Wall Outer boundary of plant cells, made up of cellulose,
gives shape and protection to the plant cells.

Cell Membrane / Thin, flexible and delicate structure of the cell, next to
Plasma Membrane cell wall in plant cell and outer boundary in animal cell.
Controls the entry of materials in and out of the cell.

Nucleus Spherical or ovoid structure bounded with the

nuclear membrane. Encloses the cell and separates
what is inside it from its environment. Serves as the
control center of the cell. Controls instructions for
all of the cell’s activity.

Nucleolus Dense and spherical structure inside the nucleus that

contains ribonucleic acid (RNA), protein and a precursor
of ribosomes. Produces ribosomes.
Mitochondrion Spherical to rod- shaped structure containing
spiral-shaped cristae. Converts energy in
food to form usable to cell. Known as” Power
House of the Cell.
Rough ER Flattened sacs with ribosomes found in the
cytoplasm connected to the nucleus. Transport
protein to the different parts of the cell.

Smooth ER Flattened sacs with no ribosomes attached found in

the cytoplasm connected to the nucleus. Transport
lipids to the different parts of the cell.

Ribosomes Small granular structure that can be found either

on the cytoplasm or rough ER. Site of protein
synthesis.
Golgi body Consists of a series of parallel flattened sacs
closely stacked together with a role in cell
secretion. Sorts, modifies packages and
distributes cell products to where they are
needed.
Lysosomes Small bodies surrounded by a single membrane which
act as waste-disposal units, digesting and removing
foreign materials and removing non-functional cell
organelles. Serves as the Suicide of the Cell.

Vacuole Large cavities containing cell sap found in plant cells

only. Storage areas in cells, as they may store water
food or waste products.
Cytoplasm Consist of jelly like substance where all the other
parts of the cell are located. It does not
however, include the area where the nucleus is
located. Many different activities of the cell
occur in the cytoplasm. Contains all the cell
organelles.
Chloroplast Is located throughout the cytoplasm of the plant
leaves and other parts depending on the type of
plant. Where food is made through the process of
photosynthesis. The greater the number of
chloroplast in them makes them efficient in
makingmore food for the plants.
Vesicles Vacuoles in animal cells are small and are called
vesicles. They serve as storage of water and food and
also function in the excretion of waste materials.

Centrioles only found in animal cells, minute cylindrical

organelle near the nucleus. they help organize
structures during cell division.