All cells contain specialized, subcellular structures that are adapted to keep the cell alive. Some
of these structures release energy, while others produce proteins, transport substances, and
control cellular activities. Collectively, these structures are called organelles.
Plant and animal cells both contain organelles, many of which are found in both types of cells.
However, there are some organelles (such as chloroplasts, the cell wall, and large vacuoles) that
are only found in plant cells.Plant and animal cells contain subcellular structures called
organelles
Animal Cell Parts And Their Functions
Animal cells contain a wide variety of parts, each of which plays a vital role in the survival of the
cell.
The Nucleus: The nucleus is the control center of the cell and houses all of the cell’s genetic
information. Usually, a cell has a single nucleus that contains all of its DNA molecules, but some
(such as skeletal muscle cells) have more than one nucleus. The nucleus protects the cell’s DNA
while controlling all other cellular activities, such as cell division, growth, protein production,
and cell death.
The nucleus contains all the DNA of a cell
Ribosomes: The DNA molecules housed in the nucleus also contain blueprints for all of the
proteins produced by a cell. These blueprints are ‘read’ and interpreted by ribosomes, which are
the site of protein production in plant and animal cells. Ribosomes produce proteins by
assembling amino acid sequences according to the instructions contained in the genetic code.
The resulting polypeptide chains are then folded into specific primary, tertiary, or quaternary 3D
structures by other cell organelles.
Mitochondria: Cells need energy to power their biochemical reactions, and most of that energy
is released by mitochondria. Mitochondria are the site of respiration and the ‘powerhouses’ of
cells, pumping out energy which is then stored in ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP molecules
are the energy currency of cells and are used to fuel all the other activities of the cell.
Mitochondria release energy for the cell
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): The endoplasmic reticulum is a network of membranes inside a
cell, and its main functions are to process and transport new materials. There are two types of
endoplasmic reticulum; the rough ER, and the smooth ER.The rough ER is studded with
ribosomes, giving it a bumpy or ‘rough’ appearance. It folds and tags newly-synthesized proteins
before transporting them to wherever they are needed in the body. The smooth ER does not have
ribosomes attached to it and is instead involved in hormone and lipid synthesis.
Golgi Apparatus: Once newly-synthesized substances have left the ER, they are sent to the
Golgi apparatus. This is a series of flatted, membrane-bound sacs that packages and distributes
substances to the outer cell membrane, where they either become part of the lipid bilayer or leave
the cell. The Golgi apparatus packages and distributes substances
of these structures release energy, while others produce proteins, transport substances, and
control cellular activities. Collectively, these structures are called organelles.
Plant and animal cells both contain organelles, many of which are found in both types of cells.
However, there are some organelles (such as chloroplasts, the cell wall, and large vacuoles) that
are only found in plant cells.Plant and animal cells contain subcellular structures called
organelles
Animal Cell Parts And Their Functions
Animal cells contain a wide variety of parts, each of which plays a vital role in the survival of the
cell.
The Nucleus: The nucleus is the control center of the cell and houses all of the cell’s genetic
information. Usually, a cell has a single nucleus that contains all of its DNA molecules, but some
(such as skeletal muscle cells) have more than one nucleus. The nucleus protects the cell’s DNA
while controlling all other cellular activities, such as cell division, growth, protein production,
and cell death.
The nucleus contains all the DNA of a cell
Ribosomes: The DNA molecules housed in the nucleus also contain blueprints for all of the
proteins produced by a cell. These blueprints are ‘read’ and interpreted by ribosomes, which are
the site of protein production in plant and animal cells. Ribosomes produce proteins by
assembling amino acid sequences according to the instructions contained in the genetic code.
The resulting polypeptide chains are then folded into specific primary, tertiary, or quaternary 3D
structures by other cell organelles.
Mitochondria: Cells need energy to power their biochemical reactions, and most of that energy
is released by mitochondria. Mitochondria are the site of respiration and the ‘powerhouses’ of
cells, pumping out energy which is then stored in ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP molecules
are the energy currency of cells and are used to fuel all the other activities of the cell.
Mitochondria release energy for the cell
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): The endoplasmic reticulum is a network of membranes inside a
cell, and its main functions are to process and transport new materials. There are two types of
endoplasmic reticulum; the rough ER, and the smooth ER.The rough ER is studded with
ribosomes, giving it a bumpy or ‘rough’ appearance. It folds and tags newly-synthesized proteins
before transporting them to wherever they are needed in the body. The smooth ER does not have
ribosomes attached to it and is instead involved in hormone and lipid synthesis.
Golgi Apparatus: Once newly-synthesized substances have left the ER, they are sent to the
Golgi apparatus. This is a series of flatted, membrane-bound sacs that packages and distributes
substances to the outer cell membrane, where they either become part of the lipid bilayer or leave
the cell. The Golgi apparatus packages and distributes substances
