Animal Cell Structures and Function

Animal Cell structures and Function
An animal cell is a eukaryotic cell (Eu: true; karyo: nucleus) therefore with true
nucleus. The genetic material, DNA is surrounded by a nuclear membrane.
Membrane bound organelles like mitochondria, SER, RER etc. are also present.
1. Nucleus (Controlling center of the cell): is a double membrane bound

organelle where DNA is present. It is the site where DNA; the hereditary material
is found which controls the activities of the cell. It consists of a nuclear membrane
or envelope with pores, the nuclear sap or nucleoplasm, chromatin fibres (DNA)
and nucleolus.
2. Nucleolus: Nucleolus are membrane less prominent spherical colloidal bodies

rich in RNA present in the nucleus.
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Function: It is the site where ribosomal subunits, 40S and 60S are synthesized and
separately assembled and dispatched into the cytoplasm where final assemblage
into complete ribosome occurs.
3. Rough Endoplasmic reticulum (RER): RER consists of interconnected

network of membrane vesicles studded with ribosomes. On the membrane of RER,
ribosomes are attached to transmembrane glycoproteins called ribophorins I and II.
Function: synthesis of secretory and membrane proteins and post translation

modification (protein glycosylation)
4. Golgi apparatus (GA): Consists of parallelly arranged flattened membranous

sacs that lacks ribosomes. Proteins synthesised in the RER pass through different
regions of golgi apparatus (cis, median and trans golgi) where it undergoes further
modification.
Function: GA is the sorting centre of the cell. In plant cells, GA is involved in the
deposition of primary and secondary wall materials (pectin, cellulose etc).
In animal cells, GA is involved in packaging and secretion of hormones, mucus

etc. Other functions include protein sorting and targeting.
Involved in the formation of lysosome, acrosome etc
5. Smooth Endoplasmic reticulum (SER): interconnected network of membrane

vesicles without ribosomes; that's why called "smooth".
Function: lipid biosynthesis including cholesterol and phospholipid synthesis and

drug detoxification
6. Ribosome 80S: are made up of several rRNA molecules and ribosomal proteins,
simply an RNA-protein complex.
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Function: Protein synthesis.
7. Mitochondrion: semi-autonomous, double membrane bound organelle with

DNA
Function: ATP synthesis through cellular respiration; therefore, called as "power

house of the cell", beta oxidation in matrix.
8. Peroxisome: are microbodies or self-duplicating, single membrane bound

organelles present in all eukaryotic cells. They contain oxidative enzymes, such as
catalase and urate oxidase, at such high concentrations.
Function: compartment for oxidation reactions, H2O2 scavenger; chemical

detoxification, lipid biosynthesis
9. Lysosome: also called as "suicidal bags" as its contains strong digestive

enzymes.
A single membrane bound organelle present only in animal cells. Lysosome lumen
has a slightly acidic internal pH (pH 4-5), optimum pH for working of digestive
enzymes.
Function: intracellular and extracellular digestion, cellular autophagy or autolysis

of infected cells.
10. Centriole: paired barrel-shaped organelles near the nuclear envelope
Function: formation of spindle fibres and regulating the movement of

chromosomes during cell division.
11. Cytoskeleton: made up of microfilaments, intermediate filaments and

microtubules; also called as "cytomusculature".
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Function: structural frame work of the cell, distribution, positioning and Detailed
notes on cytoskeleton.
12. Plasma membrane: selectively permeable membrane made up of

phospholipid bilayer and proteins
It encloses the interior of the cell, regulating the flow of materials in and out of the
cell.
13. Flagella: are fine long whip like structures for locomotion. Rotation of flagella
propels bacteria forward. It is made up of microtubules (9+2 arrangement).
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Cell Nucleus
• Central part of cell that contains genetic information (DNA) in the form of
chromatin
• Special Parts:
1) nucleolus – makes ribosomes (we will define that later)
2) nuclear membrane- double, has tiny pores
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Cytoplasm
Cytoplasm- Jelly like substance that contains organelles
Organelles- little “organs” within the cell that perform specific functions
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ORGANELLES
Ribosomes
Structure: Ball of RNA
Function: Produce protein
Location: Rough ER and free in the Cytoplasm
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Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
-Canals and channels
- 2 parts (round and smooth)
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
Structure: Canals and Channels
Function: Contain ribosomes (make proteins)
Location: near nucleus
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Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
Structure: Canals and Channels
Function: Make Lipids
Location: near rough ER
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Golgi Apparatus
Structure: Flattened membranes
Function: packages and delivers proteins produced by the ribosomes
Location: Near rough ER
Lysosomes
Structure: Balls of enzymes
Function: Digest waste in cell
Location: Throughout cytoplasm
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Cell Wall
Chloroplasts
Large Central Vacuole
Cell Wall
Provides support
Found in plants, algae, fungi, and some bacteria
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The whole Cell
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Label This One
Cheek Cells (Lab)
“Prepared by Aida Pedram”
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Animal Cell structures and Function

1. Nucleus (Controlling center of the cell): is a double membrane bound

2. Nucleolus: Nucleolus are membrane less prominent spherical colloidal bodies

3. Rough Endoplasmic reticulum (RER): RER consists of interconnected

Function: synthesis of secretory and membrane proteins and post translation

4. Golgi apparatus (GA): Consists of parallelly arranged flattened membranous

In animal cells, GA is involved in packaging and secretion of hormones, mucus

Involved in the formation of lysosome, acrosome etc

5. Smooth Endoplasmic reticulum (SER): interconnected network of membrane

Function: lipid biosynthesis including cholesterol and phospholipid synthesis and

7. Mitochondrion: semi-autonomous, double membrane bound organelle with

Function: ATP synthesis through cellular respiration; therefore, called as "power

8. Peroxisome: are microbodies or self-duplicating, single membrane bound

Function: compartment for oxidation reactions, H2O2 scavenger; chemical

9. Lysosome: also called as "suicidal bags" as its contains strong digestive

Function: intracellular and extracellular digestion, cellular autophagy or autolysis

10. Centriole: paired barrel-shaped organelles near the nuclear envelope

Function: formation of spindle fibres and regulating the movement of

11. Cytoskeleton: made up of microfilaments, intermediate filaments and

12. Plasma membrane: selectively permeable membrane made up of

1) nucleolus – makes ribosomes (we will define that later)

2) nuclear membrane- double, has tiny pores

Cytoplasm- Jelly like substance that contains organelles

Structure: Ball of RNA

Function: Produce protein

Location: Rough ER and free in the Cytoplasm

-Canals and channels

- 2 parts (round and smooth)

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

Structure: Canals and Channels

Function: Contain ribosomes (make proteins)

Location: near nucleus

Structure: Canals and Channels

Function: Make Lipids

Location: near rough ER

Structure: Flattened membranes

Function: packages and delivers proteins produced by the ribosomes

Location: Near rough ER

Structure: Balls of enzymes

Function: Digest waste in cell

Location: Throughout cytoplasm

Large Central Vacuole

Found in plants, algae, fungi, and some bacteria

Cheek Cells (Lab)

“Prepared by Aida Pedram”

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