7 2 1 SUMMARIZE THE STRUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS

7. 2. 1 SUMMARIZE THE STRUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF PLANT AND ANIMAL CELLS

CELLS ØA cell is the smallest unit of life that conducts all life functions ØEach cell has major structures that are called organelles that help to perform life functions ØMany organelles are too small to be seen without the aid of a microscope ØCells in organisms vary in size and shape, but contain most of the same major parts

CELL MEMBRANE q. Thin, flexible outer covering of a cell q. Controls what enters and leaves a cell

CYTOPLASM v. Gel-like fluid inside of a cell v. Made of mostly water v. Contains other organelles

NUCLEUS §Contains the genetic material (DNA) §Control center of the cell

VACUOLE o. Temporary storage center o. Some store water, others store waste products

CHLOROPLASTS ØSite where photosynthesis takes place in a plant cell ØContains chlorophyll used to make food

MITOCHONDRIA v. Energy producing sites v. Respiration takes place here v. Also known as the “powerhouse” of a cell

CELL WALL q. Provides support and shape for plant cells. q. Made mostly of cellulose

7. 2. 2 COMPARE THE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF PLANT AND ANIMAL CELLS

ORGANELLES Structures that are specific to plant cells: • Cell wall • chloroplast

MAJOR DIFFERENCES ØPlant cells have a cell wall, but animal cells do not. Cell walls provide support and give shape to plants. ØPlant cells have chloroplasts, but animal cells do not. Chloroplasts enable plants to perform photosynthesis to make food. ØPlant cells usually have one or more large vacuole(s), while animal cells have smaller vacuoles, if any are present. Large vacuoles help provide shape and allow the plant to store water and food for future use. The storage function plays a lesser role in animal cells, therefore the vacuoles are smaller.