Lesson 8.3

Lesson 3: Cellular Structures and
Their Functions

Essential Question: What are the
functions of the different cell
structures?

Figure 15

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1

Cellular Structures and Their Functions

Essential Question: What are the functions of the different cell structures?

Lesson 3 Summary
Students will explore the structures of a typical eukaryotic cell and what
functions each structure serves. Students will also relate the functions of
the biomolecules that make up cell structures to the overall structure and
function of the cell. This will lead them to understand the differences
between plant and animal cells and continue to compare and contrast the
complexity of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Lesson 3 TEKS
TEKS 5.B Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including
their complexity, and compare and contrast scientific explanations for
cellular complexity.

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2

Lesson 3 Vocabulary

• cytoskeleton
• centriole
• cilium (pl. cilia)
• flagellum (pl. flagella)
• nucleolus
• mitochondrion (pl. mitochondria)
• chloroplast

• ribosome
• endoplasmic reticulum
• Golgi apparatus
• vesicle
• lysosome
• vacuole

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4

Cell Structure and Movement

• Eukaryotic cells have separate membrane-bound organelles that enable different processes to take place at the same time.
• Organelles carry out essential cell processes, including protein synthesis, energy transformation, digestion, material transport and storage, waste excretion, and cell division.
• Each type of organelle within a cell has a unique structure and function.

In prokaryotes, these processes occur in nonspecific places.
In eukaryotes, these processes occur in specific membrane-bound organelles.

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5

Multiple Choice

Which type of cell has a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles?

• Eukaryote

• Prokaryote

Cell Structure and Movement

Cytoplasm- cell jelly-supports the cell

• Cytoskeleton-functions in cell movement and division.

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5

Dropdown

​

Select answer

​ gives the cell support and aids in movement.

Cell Structure and Movement

Microtubules and microfilaments
• The cytoskeleton is composed of substructures called microtubules and microfilaments.
• Microtubules-long, hollow protein cylinders-help move things in the cell.
• Microfilaments-thin protein threads that give the cell shape and help it move

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Cell Structure and Movement 1

Centrioles
• Located in the cytoplasm, near the nucleus.
• Centrioles function in cell movement and cell division.

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5

Cell Structure and Movement 1

• Cilia are short hairlike projections.
• Flagella are longer and less numerous than cilia.
• Flagella are found in human sperm cells.
• They both aid in LOCOMOTION (fancy way to say movement)

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5

Match

Match the following.

• Cilia

• Flagella

• Locomotion

hairlike projections

Whip-like tail

movement

• hairlike projections

• Whip-like tail

• movement

Control of Cell Activities

Nucleus
• The nucleus is the cell’s brain and it contains the cell’s DNA
•DNA- a nucleic acid, that stores the genetic code used to make proteins for cell growth, function, and reproduction.
• Nucleolus- dense area inside the nucleus- site of ribosome production.

Nuclear Membrane
• Similar to plasma membrane
•Controls what goes in and out of the nucleus.

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5

Energy Processing

Mitochondria-
• The energy generators of the cell are called mitochondria
• Convert fuel (mainly sugar) into usable energy through cellular respiration.
• MITOCHONDRIA=POWERHOUSE

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5

Energy Processing

Chloroplasts-PLANT CELLS
• Plants capture light energy and convert it to chemical energy (glucose) through a process called photosynthesis.
• Chloroplasts capture sunlight to generate energy.
• Chlorophyll is a pigment that traps energy from sunlight and gives leaves and stems their green color.

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5

Protein Manufacturing

• The main function of a cell is to produce proteins, which are involved in nearly every cell function.
• Ribosomes-organelle that helps make proteins.
• Ribosomes, made in the nucleolus, are made of RNA and protein.
• Ribosomes are not bound by a membrane.
• Ribosomes float freely in the cytoplasm.
• Some ribosomes are bound by the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum.

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5

Hotspot

Click the area on the image that is the nucleus.

Hotspot

Click the area on the image that is the mitochondria.

Protein Manufacturing

Endoplasmic reticulum
• The endoplasmic reticulum, also called ER, serves as the site of protein (Rough ER) synthesis.
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (Rough E.R.)
• Where ribosomes are attached are called rough endoplasmic reticulum.
• The rough ER has bumps that are the attached ribosomes.

5

Protein Manufacturing

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum-serves as the site of lipid synthesis (Smooth E.R.)
•Areas with no ribosomes (why its smooth)
• The smooth ER provides a surface to make carbohydrates and lipids.
• Smooth ER in the liver also detoxifies harmful substances, like drugs and poison.

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5

Hotspot

Click the area on the image that is the Smooth ER.

Hotspot

Click the area on the image that is the Rough ER.

Molecule Processing, Transport, and Storage

Golgi apparatus-modifies, sorts and packages proteins.

• Vesicles- transport proteins out of the cell.

PROTEINS ARE THE MAIL
GOLGI IS THE POST OFFICE
VESICLES ARE THE DELIVERY

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5

Molecule Processing, Transport, and Storage

Lysosomes-garbage disposal of cell
-contain enzymes that help break down and digest worn out organelles, food particles, bacteria and viruses
-The membrane surrounding a lysosome prevents the digestive enzymes inside the vesicle from destroying the entire cell.

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Molecule Processing, Transport, and Storage

Vacuoles- a sac used for temporary storage of food, water and waste
-Lysosomes can fuse with vacuoles, dispense their enzymes and digest the wastes inside the vacuole.
Plants have a large central vacuole
Animals have many small ones

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5

Match

Match the following organelle with its correct function.

• Vacuoles

• Lysosomes

• Golgi Apparatus

stores food and water

break down and digest things

modifies, sorts and packages

• stores food and water

• break down and digest things

• modifies, sorts and packages

Comparing Cells

• Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have similarities and differences.
• Both cells have a plasma membrane, cytoplasm, genetic material, and ribosomes.

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5

Draw

Draw a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting prokaryotes and eukaryotes.