Cell Structures

Front

Organelle Noun

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[or-guh-nel]

Back

Organelle

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A specialized structure inside a cell with a specific job, contributing to the overall function of the cell.

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Example: This image shows a cutaway view of a chloroplast, which is an example of an organelle found inside plant cells.

Front

Cell Membrane Noun

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[sel mem-brayn]

Back

Cell Membrane

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A thin, flexible barrier around a cell that controls which substances are able to enter and leave the cell.

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Example: This diagram shows the cell membrane is a barrier with proteins embedded in it that act as channels, allowing it to control what enters and leaves the cell.

Front

Cytoplasm Noun

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[sy-toh-plaz-uhm]

Back

Cytoplasm

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The entire region of a cell between the nucleus and the cell membrane, including the cytosol and organelles.

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Example: This diagram shows that the cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance that fills the entire cell and holds all the organelles in place.

Front

Cytosol Noun

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[sy-toh-sol]

Back

Cytosol

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The jelly-like fluid portion of the cytoplasm that fills the cell and supports various essential chemical reactions.

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Example: This image shows a simple diagram of a cell, with an arrow pointing to the jelly-like fluid that fills the cell and surrounds the organelles.

Front

Nucleus Noun

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[noo-klee-uhs]

Back

Nucleus

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The large organelle that contains the cell's genetic material and acts as the command center, directing cell activities.

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Example: This diagram shows a cutaway view of the cell's nucleus, labeling its key parts like the chromatin (genetic material) and the central nucleolus.

Front

Nucleolus Noun

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[noo-klee-oh-luhs]

Back

Nucleolus

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A small, dense structure found inside the nucleus that is responsible for building the parts of ribosomes.

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Example: This diagram shows the nucleolus as a round structure located inside the cell's nucleus, along with other nuclear parts like chromatin.

Front

Nuclear Envelope Noun

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[noo-klee-er en-vuh-lohp]

Back

Nuclear Envelope

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The double membrane surrounding the nucleus that contains pores to regulate traffic of molecules in and out.

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Example: This diagram shows the nuclear envelope as the protective outer layer of the cell's nucleus, with small openings called nuclear pores.

Front

Ribosome Noun

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[ry-boh-sohm]

Back

Ribosome

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A tiny cellular structure that assembles proteins by following the instructions encoded in the cell's genetic material.

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Example: This image shows ribosomes as small dots inside a bacterium, illustrating their location within a cell's cytoplasm among many other labeled cell parts.

Front

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Noun

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[en-doh-plaz-mik ri-tik-yuh-luhm]

Back

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

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A network of membranes connected to the nucleus that helps make, fold, and process proteins and lipids.

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Example: This diagram shows the Endoplasmic Reticulum, a cell part attached to the nucleus, with its two types: rough (with ribosomes) and smooth.

Front

Rough ER Noun

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[ruhf ee-ar]

Back

Rough ER

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The portion of the endoplasmic reticulum studded with ribosomes that helps fold and modify newly made proteins.

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Example: This diagram shows the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER) as a network of membranes connected to the nucleus, studded with small green dots called ribosomes.