Well, biology student, hopefully this helped you out. If you want more information on the cell organelle, then click 'Here's where I got this info...', and it will bring you to the site where I got my information.
Good luck!
-R
Monday, September 5, 2011
Cilia and Flagella
I always think these two things should be in a pair...
Where it is found:
What it does:
Where it is found:
- Cilia: attached to the membrane of the cell
- Flagella: attatched to the membrane of the cell
 |
| Cilia |
 |
| Flagella |
- Cilia: whip-like projections
- Flagella: just one whip-like projection (usually longer)
What it does:
- Cilia: moves liquid past the cell to allow the cell to move
- Flagella: moves liquid past the cell to allow the cell to move
- for single cells, like sperm, this allows them to swim, but for cells in an anchored tissue, like cells in our throat, it moves liquid over the cell itself
Cell wall
This is found ONLY in plant cells!
Where it's found: outside of the cell membrane
What it looks like: a thicker and stiffer cell membrane
Where it's found: outside of the cell membrane
What it looks like: a thicker and stiffer cell membrane
What it does: strength of the plant, maintain turgor pressure (how rigid it is), passing of substances, protection, and is a reserve for carbohydrates
The Cell Membrane
The cell membrane is essential to cell survival.
Where it is: this surrounds the cell
What it looks like: double layer of phospholipds, protiens, carbohydrates, and cholesterol that encases the cytoplasm and organelles like saran wrap
Here's where I got this info...
Where it is: this surrounds the cell
What it looks like: double layer of phospholipds, protiens, carbohydrates, and cholesterol that encases the cytoplasm and organelles like saran wrap
What it does: anchors the cytoskeleton, attatches cell to extracellular matrix, transport of materials in and out of the cell, recieves and converts signals from other cells, keeps the cell and all of its contents together
Here's where I got this info...
Junctions between cells
There are three junction types I will discuss here:
2. Desmosomes (aka: macula adherens): interactions of calcium ions and adhesion between cell membranes
- Tight junction (aka: zonula occludens): this is a site where two cell membranes come very close together and almost seem to be fused; they, in fact, prohibit materials from going between the two cells
3. Gap junction: this is when the cytoplasm of two cells are connected by a channel
Plasmodesmata
These structures are found only in plant cells!
Where they are: between plant cells
What they look like: bridges between cells
Where they are: between plant cells
What they look like: bridges between cells
What they do: these "cytoplasmic bridges" that extend through the cell wall and connect the cytoplasm of adjacent cells
Cytoskeleton
There are three different types of filaments in the cytoskeleton.
1. Microfilaments: this is a system of filaments that are responsible for anchoring plasma membrane proteins, cell movement, and cell division.
2. Microtubules: positioned near the nucleus, they serve as 'tracks' for organelles such as mitochondria and vesicles ready for excretion
3. Intermediate filaments: link the cell surface and the nucleus, and stabilize structural integrity
1. Microfilaments: this is a system of filaments that are responsible for anchoring plasma membrane proteins, cell movement, and cell division.
- usually found in the periphery of the cell, where they assist in anchoring plasma membrane proteins
- also can be found in bundles where they also act somewhat like muscles
2. Microtubules: positioned near the nucleus, they serve as 'tracks' for organelles such as mitochondria and vesicles ready for excretion
- very dynamic and important for mitosis where they segregate the choromosomes
3. Intermediate filaments: link the cell surface and the nucleus, and stabilize structural integrity
Chloroplast
The chloroplast is where photosynthesis takes place in plant cells
Where it is: in the cytoplasm
What it looks like: a rod shaped membrane with inner structures, flat disc structures called thylakoids that are arranged into columns called grana
Here's where I got this info...
Where it is: in the cytoplasm
What it looks like: a rod shaped membrane with inner structures, flat disc structures called thylakoids that are arranged into columns called grana
What it does: this organelle, which is found only in plant cells, contains chlorophyll, with which it preforms photosynthesis, giving the plant energy
Here's where I got this info...
Mitochondria- the power house of the cell
This is were most of the energy for the cell is made...
Where it is: in the cytoplasm
What it looks like: a rod shaped organelle with folds of membranes
Where it is: in the cytoplasm
What it looks like: a rod shaped organelle with folds of membranes
What it does: PRODUCE ENERGY using the process of oxidative phosphorylation, also storage for calcium ions
Vacuole
Where is it: in the cytoplasm
What it looks like: a bag or a sac inside of a cell
Here's where I got the info...
What it looks like: a bag or a sac inside of a cell
What it does: holds waste products, maintains pH, turgor pressure is maintained by vacuoles in plant cells, unwanted materials are held here, and destroy invading bacteria
Here's where I got the info...
Lysosomes- om nom nom
Lysosomes are the digestive tract of the cell...
Where it is found: in the cytoplasm of the cell
What it looks like: a membrane enclosed bubble of proteins and enzymes, almost like a mini-cell
Where I got this info...
Where it is found: in the cytoplasm of the cell
What it looks like: a membrane enclosed bubble of proteins and enzymes, almost like a mini-cell
What it does: degrades material taken in from outside the cell and digest parts of the cell itself, basically the garbage disposal
Where I got this info...
Golgi Apparatus
Where it's found: close to the cell nucleus
What it looks like: a stack of deflated balloons, made of stacks of membrane-covered stacks called cisternae
What it looks like: a stack of deflated balloons, made of stacks of membrane-covered stacks called cisternae
What it does: processes proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum, form carbohydrates, sulfate groups are added to proteins, nucleotide sugars are imported in from the cytoplasm to carry out the glycosylation and phosphorylation processes
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
The rough endoplasmic reticulum is involved in synthesizing proteins from the ribosomes attached to its surface.
Where is it: attached to the nuclear envelope, next to the smooth endoplasmic reticulum
What it looks like: once again, is a conglomerate of membrane, tubules, and sacs, and, most importantly, is studded with ribosomes
Where is it: attached to the nuclear envelope, next to the smooth endoplasmic reticulum
What it looks like: once again, is a conglomerate of membrane, tubules, and sacs, and, most importantly, is studded with ribosomes
What it does: assembles proteins from the cytoplasm, folding of proteins, quality control of folded proteins, transfers proteins to the Golgi Apparatus
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
The smooth endoplasmic reticulum is important in many functions in the cell.
Where it is: connected to the nuclear envelope in plant and animal cells
What it looks like: a network of membranes, tubules, and sacs
What it does: carbohydrate metabolism, regulation of calcium ions (used in muscle contraction), synthesizing steroids and lipids, and drug detoxification; transportation of synthesized proteins
Here's where I got this info...
Where it is: connected to the nuclear envelope in plant and animal cells
What it looks like: a network of membranes, tubules, and sacs
What it does: carbohydrate metabolism, regulation of calcium ions (used in muscle contraction), synthesizing steroids and lipids, and drug detoxification; transportation of synthesized proteins
Here's where I got this info...
Ribosomes
Ribosomes are essential in cells. They are in charge of protein assembly.
Where it's found: suspended in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum
What it looks like: made of two sub units, making it look like a bumpy sphere
Where it's found: suspended in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum
What it looks like: made of two sub units, making it look like a bumpy sphere
What it does: Ribosomes make proteins out of RNA either in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum
The Manufacturer- the Nucleolus
The Nucleolus makes some pretty important proteins called ribosomes. Here's some more on the manufacturer:
Where it's found: in the nucleus, but it is not bound by a membrane
What it looks like:
What it does: assembles ribosomal units and ships them out of the nucleus, so it is indirectly involved in protein synthesis
Here's where I got this info
Where it's found: in the nucleus, but it is not bound by a membrane
What it does: assembles ribosomal units and ships them out of the nucleus, so it is indirectly involved in protein synthesis
Here's where I got this info
The Center of Command- The Nucleus
The nucleus is the head honcho of the cell, and probably one of the best known organelles. Let's take a closer look at the CEO of the cell...
Where it's found: enclosed by a membrane in the cytoplasm of a cell [eukaryotic cells ONLY]
What it looks like: a nucleus doesn't have a defined shape, but it is usually spherical in shape; it has a double layered membrane called the nuclear membrane
What it does: the nucleus is in charge of the cell. It contains the DNA of the organism, is where DNA transcription (when mRNA is produced) takes place, makes sure that the daughter cells have the correct amount of DNA and are replicated correctly. The nucleus is considered the 'control center' of a cell for this reason.
Here's where I got this info
Where it's found: enclosed by a membrane in the cytoplasm of a cell [eukaryotic cells ONLY]
What it looks like: a nucleus doesn't have a defined shape, but it is usually spherical in shape; it has a double layered membrane called the nuclear membrane
What it does: the nucleus is in charge of the cell. It contains the DNA of the organism, is where DNA transcription (when mRNA is produced) takes place, makes sure that the daughter cells have the correct amount of DNA and are replicated correctly. The nucleus is considered the 'control center' of a cell for this reason.
Here's where I got this info
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
And so we begin!
Hello disparaging Biology student. No doubt you stumbled across this blog when you were looking for the answers for a Biology homework assignment that you procrastinated on. Rejoice, for here I am going to delve into the organelles of a cell! I will try and hit every organelle and explain its function, what it looks like, and where it can be found.
Thanks for viewing, and the next post should be up soon!
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