Chapter 2: Cell Theory

The Animal and Plant Cell

Cell Membrane

cell (like a jail cell) is a thin layer around the outside that controls what comes in or goes out of the cell (just like the prison guard does in the jail). It separates and protects the inside of the cell from things around it (like a jail cell keeps other inmates from coming inside the cell to attack that inmate)

Cell Wall

: the extra barrier around the cell membrane is the cell wall to protect the plant cell. (think of a plant cell as being more vulnerable than an animal so it needs more protection). This wall helps give the cell structure (gives it a firm shape) and protects the inside from damage.

Chloroplast

organelle that captures light energy in a plant cell

Cytoplasm

a jellylike substance that fills up the inside of a cell

Vacuole

an organelle that stores food, water, and wastes (think it’s like a vacuum that sucks up the food, water, and waste to store it in the vacuum)

ER – Endoplasmic Reticulum

(ER) an organelle that has a network of tubes that processes and transports proteins from place to place inside the cell (think of how the ER in a hospital takes in patients and then decides where they need to go/sends them to different places in the hospital)

Golgi Body

organelle that processes, packs, and transports proteins to be sent outside of a cell (think of the Golgi telling the proteins to “GO” out of the cell)

Lysosome

organelle that breaks down waste material in an animal cell (think about an animal that uses the restroom is sending waste out of its body; once the waste is out, you might need Lysol to make it smell better)

Mitochondria

organelles that convert food into energy that a cell can use (that is a mighty big chore to make food from energy!)

Nucleolus

round structure inside the nucleus of a cell, makes ribosomes ( looks like a solid O)

Protein

a large molecule in a cell that carries out the function of life (think Pro-Life – acts to make sure the cell has life)

Ribosome

an organelle that makes proteins for a cell (looks like ribs, ribs are protein!) The words looks like “ribs” notice that the ribsosomes themselves are tiny little parts given off from the ER.

Organelle

a small unit inside a cell with a specific purpose

Tissue

a group of similar cells that work together (think about two pieces of tissue together are needed to work to help with a sneeze, just one tissue layer can’t do the trick)

Organ

group of tissues that work together (think tissues organize to work together)