Introduction

What are the different parts of a cell?



A4.1 Some organelles we will study
Single-celled organisms exchange gases, eat, and create waste, just like larger, multicellular organisms, such as humans. But how do they do this? They don’t have a stomach or a mouth like humans do. They also don’t have lungs or a bladder, so how can they perform these functions? The answer lies in the structures found inside a cell called organelles.

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to name the general structures within a cell and explain their functions. This is not an inclusive list of all the structures that can be found in a cell, but it does contain the ones that are seen in most cells. You will also look at cells under a microscope in order to see the different structures in real life.

  Did You Know?
A4.2 Human organs

The structures inside of a cell are called organelles because they have similar functions to our organs. They help the cell perform life functions, so they are like small organs inside the cell.

  Targets

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to
  • describe the cell as a functioning open system that gains nutrients, removes waste, and exchanges matter and energy with its environment
  • identify the structure and function of the cell membrane, nucleus, lysosome, vacuole, mitochondrion, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, ribosome, chloroplast, and cell wall (where present) of plant and animal cells
  • prepare a wet mount for a microscope

  Watch This


Studying Cells


Watch this video for an introduction to plant and animal cells, as well as some of the organelles found within them. https://adlc.wistia.com/medias/6zd2bwuh1k