Animals and humans are multicellular organisms made up of eukaryotic cells. Animal cells are large and advanced and are specialized for different functions. For example, skin cells, muscle cells, nerve cells, and fat cells make up different types of tissues and play different roles in keeping the organism alive.
In your own words, describe why animals are eukaryotic organisms, and why we say their cells are advanced and specialized.
While different animal cells are specialized for different functions, they share the same basic parts. Next, you will watch a video about animal cell orgnelles. As you watch, pay attention to each organelle and its:
appearance
location
function
Match each organelle with its function(s); if needed, watch the above video, again.
| Draggable item | arrow_right_alt | Corresponding Item |
|---|---|---|
Golgi Body | arrow_right_alt | The organelle that holds the DNA for the cell. |
Mitochondria | arrow_right_alt | Has ribosomes embedded on its surface and assists in the production of proteins. |
Ribosome | arrow_right_alt | Transports material within the cell. |
Vesicle | arrow_right_alt | Stores (packages) proteins for transport |
Lysosome | arrow_right_alt | Makes ATP |
Cell Membrane | arrow_right_alt | Makes lipids. |
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (Rough ER) | arrow_right_alt | Makes proteins |
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (smooth ER) | arrow_right_alt | A fluid that cushions and contains the organelles. |
Cytoplasm | arrow_right_alt | Breaksdown waste and worn out organelles. |
Nucleus | arrow_right_alt | Controls what enters and exits the cell. |
Next, you will review the location of the organelles within an animal cell.
Click on the image to enlarge it.
This will be followed by a set of questions in which you will have to identify the location of certain structures - mitochondria, nucleus, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, vesicles, and the Golgi body.
Which letter in the image to the left represents each of these:
a.) Mitochondria:
b.) Nuclues:
c.) Ribosome:
d.) Golgi body:
e.) Endoplasmic Reticulum:
Now, let's see how organelles work together within the cell. You will examine a diagram of the endomembrane system.
Follow the flow of materials through the organelles in the diagram. Note the differences between the smooth ER and the rough ER, what they produce, and where those products go within the cell.
At teh bottom, you will also see a microscopic image of a live cell that is focused upon a vacuole.
1. The nuclear membrane
2. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
3. The Golgi apparatus
4. Membranous sacs called vesicles
This system compartmentalizes the cell and carries molecules from one part of the system to another part.
1. Endoplasmic Reticulum
The ER is a complicated system of membranous channels and flattened saccules. It is responsible for making lipids and proteins and it sometimes stores small ions
2. Golgi Apparatus
The Golgi apparatus consists of numerous flattened saccules.
The Golgi apparatus receives protein transport vesicles from the ER, then modifies the molecules and repackages them in new vesicles.
3. Lysosomes
Lysosomes are vesicles from the Golgi apparatus which contain harsh lytic enzymes that digest food molecules or structures within the cell.
Lysosomes also participate in apoptosis, or programmed cell death. In this process the cell will commit suicide when it "realizes" that is isn't working correctly. It destroys itself by releasing the enzymes from its lysosomes. These enzyme spill out into the cytoplasm and destroy the cell parts.
4. Vacuoles
Vacuoles are membranous storage sacs that are larger than vesicles.
In most organisms, vacuoles can store nutrients, ions, or other molecules.
Create a flowchart or diagram of the endomembrane system. Show how lipids and proteins are transported within the cell. Be sure to label the organelles.
Which cell type does not have membrane-bound organelles?
Which organelle contains enzymes that can digests waste and worn out organelles for the animal cell?
After a protein is made, the vesicle transports it to the
Name two structures that are part of the endomembrane system
Which organelle provides energy (ATP) for the cell?
Name at least one thing that you learned in this lesson, even if you haven't mastered it, yet.
How has your confidence regarding this topic changed?
All cell types have a cell membrane.
Where, inside of the nucleus, are ribosomes assembled?
Which organelle is the "shipping part" of the cell?
Microtubules are made from a protein called
Provide a list of some of the major organelles found within a cell.
