ANIMAL CELL

Definition
Animal cells are the basic unit of life in organisms of the kingdom Animalia. They
are eukaryotic cells, meaning that they have a true nucleus and specialized
structures called organelles that carry out different functions. Animal cells do not
have plant-specific organelles like cell walls, which support the plant cell, or
chloroplasts, the organelle that carries out photosynthesis.

 Centrioles - Centrioles are self-replicating organelles made up of nine bundles of

microtubules and are found only in animal cells. They appear to help in organizing cell
division, but aren't essential to the process.

 Cilia and Flagella - For single-celled eukaryotes, cilia and flagella are essential for the
locomotion of individual organisms. In multicellular organisms, cilia function to move fluid or
materials past an immobile cell as well as moving a cell or group of cells.

 Endoplasmic Reticulum - The endoplasmic reticulum is a network of sacs that

manufactures, processes, and transports chemical compounds for use inside and outside of
the cell. It is connected to the double-layered nuclear envelope, providing a pipeline between
the nucleus and the cytoplasm.

 Endosomes and Endocytosis - Endosomes are membrane-bound vesicles, formed via a

complex family of processes collectively known as endocytosis, and found in the cytoplasm
of virtually every animal cell. The basic mechanism of endocytosis is the reverse of what
occurs during exocytosis or cellular secretion. It involves the invagination (folding inward) of
a cell's plasma membrane to surround macromolecules or other matter diffusing through the
extracellular fluid.

 Golgi Apparatus - The Golgi apparatus is the distribution and shipping department for the
cell's chemical products. It modifies proteins and fats built in the endoplasmic reticulum and
prepares them for export to the outside of the cell.

 Intermediate Filaments - Intermediate filaments are a very broad class of fibrous proteins
that play an important role as both structural and functional elements of the cytoskeleton.
Ranging in size from 8 to 12 nanometers, intermediate filaments function as tension-bearing
elements to help maintain cell shape and rigidity.

 Lysosomes - The main function of these microbodies is digestion. Lysosomes break down
cellular waste products and debris from outside the cell into simple compounds, which are
transferred to the cytoplasm as new cell-building materials.
 Microfilaments - Microfilaments are solid rods made of globular proteins called actin. These
filaments are primarily structural in function and are an important component of the
cytoskeleton.

 Microtubules - These straight, hollow cylinders are found throughout the cytoplasm of all
eukaryotic cells (prokaryotes don't have them) and carry out a variety of functions, ranging
from transport to structural support.

 Mitochondria - Mitochondria are oblong shaped organelles that are found in the cytoplasm
of every eukaryotic cell. In the animal cell, they are the main power generators, converting
oxygen and nutrients into energy.

 Nucleus - The nucleus is a highly specialized organelle that serves as the information
processing and administrative center of the cell. This organelle has two major functions: it
stores the cell's hereditary material, or DNA, and it coordinates the cell's activities, which
include growth, intermediary metabolism, protein synthesis, and reproduction (cell division).

 Peroxisomes - Microbodies are a diverse group of organelles that are found in the
cytoplasm, roughly spherical and bound by a single membrane. There are several types of
microbodies but peroxisomes are the most common.

 Plasma Membrane - All living cells have a plasma membrane that encloses their contents.
In prokaryotes, the membrane is the inner layer of protection surrounded by a rigid cell wall.
Eukaryotic animal cells have only the membrane to contain and protect their contents. These
membranes also regulate the passage of molecules in and out of the cells.

 Ribosomes - All living cells contain ribosomes, tiny organelles composed of approximately
60 percent RNA and 40 percent protein. In eukaryotes, ribosomes are made of four strands
of RNA. In prokaryotes, they consist of three strands of RNA.

 Cell Membrane
 A thin semipermeable membrane layer of protein and fats surrounding the cell. Its primary
role is to protect the cell from its surrounding. Also, it controls the entry and exit of nutrients
and other microscopic entities into the cell.
 Nuclear Membrane
 It is a double-membrane structure that surrounds the nucleus. It is also referred to as the
nuclear envelope.
 Nucleus
 It is an organelle that contains several other sub-organelles such as nucleolus, nucleosomes
and chromatins. It also contains DNA and other genetic materials.
 Centrosome
 It is a small organelle found near to the nucleus which has a thick centre with radiating
tubules. The centrosomes are where microtubules are produced.
 Lysosome (Cell Vesicles)
 They are round organelles surrounded by a membrane and comprising digestive enzymes
which help in digestion, excretion and in the cell renewal process.
 Cytoplasm
  A jelly-like material which contains all the cell organelles, enclosed within the cell membrane.
The substance found within the cell nucleus, contained by the nuclear membrane is called
the nucleoplasm.
 Golgi Apparatus
 A flat, smooth layered, sac-like organelle which is located near the nucleus and involved in
manufacturing, storing, packing and transporting the particles throughout the cell.
 Detailed Reading: Golgi Apparatus
 Mitochondrion
 They are spherical or rod-shaped organelles with a double membrane. They are the
powerhouse of a cell as they play an important role in releasing energy.
 Ribosome
 They are small organelles made up of RNA-rich cytoplasmic granules, and they are the sites
of protein synthesis.
 Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
 This cellular organelle is composed of a thin, winding network of membranous sacs
originating from the nucleus.
 Vacuole
 A membrane-bound organelle present inside a cell involved in maintaining shape and storing
water, food, wastes, etc.
 Nucleopore
 They are tiny holes present in the nuclear membrane which are involved in the movement of
nucleic acids and proteins within the cell.

rganelle Summary of Function

 Protects the cell
 Controls the entry and exit of molecules
 Gives the cell a shape
Cell membrane
 Adheres to neighboring cells to form tissue
 Helps the cell to communicate with the exterior

 The cytoplasm holds water and nutrients

 Cytoplasm &
 The cytoskeleton gives structural rigidity to cell
Cytoskeleton
 The cytoskeleton helps movement of organelles and
chromosomes

 Command center of the cell

 Duplicate and store genetic information
Nucleus   Makes ribosomes
 Sends commands to ribosomes for protein synthesis

 Protein synthesis
Ribosomes
 Summary of the function of the Smooth ER:

 Lipid synthesis
Endoplasmic  Detoxification of alcohol and drugs
Reticulum
(ER) Summary of the function of the Rough ER:

 Protein synthesis

 Processes and packages proteins and transports them to other

Golgi
parts of the cell or outside the cell.
apparatus
  Converts food we eat into energy we use
Mitochondria   Assist in cell growth, cell cycle and cellular death

 Break down cellular waste into building blocks

 Destroy foreign invaders
Lysosomes  Peroxisomes break down hydrogen peroxide – harmful
& Peroxisomes compound
 Peroxisomes are involved in the synthesis of lipids and
bile acids

Vacuoles   Store food, water and waste

 Lung cells use cilia to move mucus out of the lungs

Cilia &Flagellum   A sperm cell uses its flagellum to swim through the
female reproductive tract
 PLANT CELL

 Cell Wall - Like their prokaryotic ancestors, plant cells have a rigid wall surrounding the
plasma membrane. It is a far more complex structure, however, and serves a variety of
functions, from protecting the cell to regulating the life cycle of the plant organism.

 Chloroplasts - The most important characteristic of plants is their ability to photosynthesize,

in effect, to make their own food by converting light energy into chemical energy. This
process is carried out in specialized organelles called chloroplasts.

 Endoplasmic Reticulum - The endoplasmic reticulum is a network of sacs that

manufactures, processes, and transports chemical compounds for use inside and outside of
the cell. It is connected to the double-layered nuclear envelope, providing a pipeline between
the nucleus and the cytoplasm. In plants, the endoplasmic reticulum also connects between
cells via the plasmodesmata.

 Golgi Apparatus - The Golgi apparatus is the distribution and shipping department for the
cell's chemical products. It modifies proteins and fats built in the endoplasmic reticulum and
prepares them for export as outside of the cell.

 Microfilaments - Microfilaments are solid rods made of globular proteins called actin. These
filaments are primarily structural in function and are an important component of the
cytoskeleton.

 Microtubules - These straight, hollow cylinders are found throughout the cytoplasm of all
eukaryotic cells (prokaryotes don't have them) and carry out a variety of functions, ranging
from transport to structural support.

 Mitochondria - Mitochondria are oblong shaped organelles found in the cytoplasm of all
eukaryotic cells. In plant cells, they break down carbohydrate and sugar molecules to provide
energy, particularly when light isn't available for the chloroplasts to produce energy.

 Nucleus - The nucleus is a highly specialized organelle that serves as the information
processing and administrative center of the cell. This organelle has two major functions: it
stores the cell's hereditary material, or DNA, and it coordinates the cell's activities, which
include growth, intermediary metabolism, protein synthesis, and reproduction (cell division).

 Peroxisomes - Microbodies are a diverse group of organelles that are found in the
cytoplasm, roughly spherical and bound by a single membrane. There are several types of
microbodies but peroxisomes are the most common.

 Plasmodesmata - Plasmodesmata are small tubes that connect plant cells to each other,
providing living bridges between cells.

 Plasma Membrane - All living cells have a plasma membrane that encloses their contents.
In prokaryotes and plants, the membrane is the inner layer of protection surrounded by a
 rigid cell wall. These membranes also regulate the passage of molecules in and out of the
cells.

 Ribosomes - All living cells contain ribosomes, tiny organelles composed of approximately
60 percent RNA and 40 percent protein. In eukaryotes, ribosomes are made of four strands
of RNA. In prokaryotes, they consist of three strands of RNA.

 Vacuole - Each plant cell has a large, single vacuole that stores compounds, helps in plant
growth, and plays an important structural role for the plant.

 Cell Wall: This is the rigid outermost layer of a plant cell. It makes the cell stiff
-providing the cell with mechanical support - and giving it protection. Animal
cells do not have cell walls.
 Cell Membrane: This is a protective layer that surrounds every cell and
separates it from its external environment. It is found just inside the cell wall
and is made up of complex lipids (fats) and proteins.
 Cytoplasm: The cytoplasm is a thick, aqueous (water-based) solution in which
the organelles are found. Substances such as salts, nutrients, minerals
and enzymes (molecules involved in metabolism) are dissolved in the
cytoplasm.
 Nucleus: The nucleus is the ‘control center’ of the cell. It
contains Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), the genetic material that directs all the
activities of the cell. Only eukaryotic cells have nuclei (plural for nucleus),
prokaryotic cells do not. The nucleus is separated from the cytoplasm by a
specialized membrane called the
 Nuclear membrane.
 Ribosomes: These are little round structures that produce proteins. They are
found in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum.
 Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): The ER is a membrane system of folded sacs
and tunnels. The ER helps move proteins within the cell as well as export them
outside of the cell. There are two types of endoplasmic reticulum.
 Rough endoplasmic reticulum. The rough endoplasmic reticulum is covered
with ribosomes.
 Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (no ribosomes)
 Golgi body: The Golgi body is a stack of membrane-covered sacs that
prepares proteins for export from the cell.
 Mitochondrion (plural mitochondria): This is the ‘powerhouse’ of the cell. It
converts the energy stored in food (sugar and fat) into energy-rich molecules
that the cell can use (Adenosine triphosphate – ATP for short).
 Lysosome: The lysosome is the digestive center of a cell that produces many
different types of enzymes which are able to break down food particles and
recycle worn out components of the cell.
 Vacuoles: These are large membrane-enclosed compartments that store toxic
wastes as well as useful products such as water. These are mainly found in
plants.
 Chloroplast: Chloroplasts contain a green pigment that traps sunlight and
converts it into sugars by a process called photosynthesis. The sugars are a
source of energy for the plants and the animals that eat them.