Cell Organelles and Their Functions

Front

Cell Organelle Noun

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[sel or-guh-nel]

Back

Cell Organelle

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A specialized structure within a cell that performs a specific function essential for the cell's survival and overall operation.

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Example: This diagram shows a detailed cross-section of the cell nucleus, a key example of a cell organelle, labeling its important internal parts.

Front

Cytoplasm Noun

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[sy-toh-plaz-uhm]

Back

Cytoplasm

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The jelly-like material found between the cell membrane and the nuclear membrane, containing all organelles and the cytosol.

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Example: This diagram shows a cross-section of a cell, highlighting that the cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance filling the cell and surrounding the nucleus and other organelles.

Front

Cytosol Noun

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[sy-toh-sol]

Back

Cytosol

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The aqueous, fluid portion of the cytoplasm, containing water, dissolved ions, small molecules, and various soluble proteins.

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

Front

Cell Membrane Noun

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[sel mem-breyn]

Back

Cell Membrane

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The semipermeable barrier surrounding the cell, regulating the passage of substances into and out of the cell's internal environment.

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Example: This diagram shows the cell membrane is a barrier made of a lipid bilayer with proteins embedded in it, which control what passes into and out of the cell.

Front

Homeostasis Noun

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[hoh-mee-oh-stey-sis]

Back

Homeostasis

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The process by which a cell or organism maintains a stable, constant internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

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Example: This diagram shows how red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's cells, a process that helps maintain a stable internal environment (homeostasis).

Front

Nucleus Noun

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[noo-klee-uhs]

Back

Nucleus

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The large, membrane-bound organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains the genetic material and controls all cell activities.

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Example: This diagram shows a cross-section of a cell's nucleus, labeling its key parts like the chromatin (DNA) and the protective nuclear envelope.

Front

Chromatin Noun

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[kroh-muh-tin]

Back

Chromatin

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A complex of DNA and proteins found inside the nucleus that condenses to form chromosomes during cell division.

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Example: This diagram shows chromatin as the thread-like material packed inside the cell's nucleus, the organelle that controls the cell's activities.

Front

Ribosome Noun

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[rahy-buh-sohm]

Back

Ribosome

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A small cellular particle made of RNA and protein that serves as the primary site for protein synthesis.

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Example: This diagram shows a ribosome reading an mRNA strand to assemble amino acids into a growing protein chain, illustrating its function as the cell's protein factory.

Front

Endoplasmic Reticulum Noun

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

Back

Endoplasmic Reticulum

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A network of membranous tubules involved in synthesizing and transporting proteins (rough ER) and lipids (smooth ER).

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Example: This diagram shows the endoplasmic reticulum, a cell organelle with two parts: the smooth ER and the rough ER, which is covered in ribosomes.

Front

Golgi Apparatus Noun

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[gohl-jee ap-uh-rat-uhs]

Back

Golgi Apparatus

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An organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for secretion or delivery to other cellular destinations.

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Example: This diagram shows the Golgi apparatus receiving proteins in vesicles, modifying them within its folds (cisternae), and packaging them into new vesicles for transport.