Patricia M.

Cañas August 22, 2018

BSN – 1F Biochemistry
ANIMAL CELL

1. Cell Membrane - the thin layer of protein and fat that surrounds the cell. The cell membrane is semipermeable, allowing
some substances to pass into the cell and blocking others.
2. Centrosome - (microtubule organizing center) a small body located near the nucleus, it has a dense center and radiating
tubules. The centrosomes are where microtubules are made. During cell division (mitosis), the centrosome divides and
the two parts move to opposite sides of the dividing cell. The centriole is the dense center of the centrosome.
3. Cytoplasm - the jelly-like material outside the cell nucleus in which the organelles are located.
4. Golgi Body - (Golgi apparatus or Golgi complex) a flattened, layered, sac-like organelle that looks like a stack of
pancakes and is located near the nucleus. It produces the membranes that surround the lysosomes. The Golgi body
packages proteins and carbohydrates into membrane-bound vesicles for "export" from the cell.
5. Lysosome - (cell vesicles) round organelles surrounded by a membrane and containing digestive enzymes. This is where
the digestion of cell nutrients takes place.
6. Mitochondrion - spherical to rod-shaped organelles with a double membrane. The inner membrane is infolded many
times, forming a series of projections (called cristae). The mitochondrion converts the energy stored in glucose into ATP
(adenosine triphosphate) for the cell.
7. Nuclear Membrane - the membrane that surrounds the nucleus.
8. Nucleolus - an organelle within the nucleus - it is where ribosomal RNA is produced. Some cells have more than one
nucleolus.
9. Nucleus - spherical body containing many organelles, including the nucleolus. The nucleus controls many of the
functions of the cell (by controlling protein synthesis) and contains DNA (in chromosomes). The nucleus is surrounded
by the nuclear membrane.
10. Ribosome - small organelles composed of RNA-rich cytoplasmic granules that are sites of protein synthesis.
11. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum - (rough ER) a vast system of interconnected, membranous, infolded and convoluted
sacks that are located in the cell's cytoplasm. Rough ER is covered with ribosomes that give it a rough appearance. Rough
ER transports materials through the cell and produces proteins in sacks called cisternae (which are sent to the Golgi body,
or inserted into the cell membrane).
12. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum - (smooth ER) a vast system of interconnected, membranous, infolded and convoluted
tubes that are located in the cell's cytoplasm. The space within the ER is called the ER lumen. Smooth ER transports
materials through the cell. It contains enzymes and produces and digests lipids (fats) and membrane proteins; smooth ER
buds off from rough ER, moving the newly-made proteins and lipids to the Golgi body, lysosomes, and membranes.
13. Vacuole - fluid-filled, membrane-surrounded cavities inside a cell. The vacuole fills with food being digested and waste
material that is on its way out of the cell.
Patricia M. Cañas August 22, 2018
BSN – 1F Biochemistry

Organelles and their Functions

1. Nucleus – The cell nucleus is an organelle that contains most of the cell’s genetic material.
The nucleus regulates cell growth and metabolism.
2. Nucleolus – The nucleolus is made of RNA and proteins. It transcribes and modifies RNA.
3. Lysosomes – The lysosomes contain enzymes that break down biomolecules. They act as the
cell’s waste disposal.
4. Chromatin – Chromatin are macromolecules made up of DNA, protein and RNA.
5. Centrioles – The centrioles help with cytokinesis. (The splitting of a cell)
6. Cytoskeleton – The cytoskeleton gives a cell its shape, and prevents it from deforming.
7. Cytoplasm – The cytoplasm is made up of cytosol, which is a gel-like substance. It is 80%
water.
8. Plasma Membrane – Also known as the cell membrane, the plasma membrane is a selectively
permeable wall that separates the cell interior from the outside environment.
9. Ribosomes – The ribosomes are made of protein and RNA. They convert genetic material into
protein.
10. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum – The rough endoplasmic reticulum manufactures enzymes
and proteins.
11. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum – The smooth endoplasmic reticulum manufactures lipids,
phospholipids, and steroids.
12. Golgi Apparatus – The Golgi apparatus, also known as the Golgi bodies, packages protein
inside a cell, in preparation for secretion.
13. Mitochondria – The mitochondria are a cell’s power plants. They generate ATP.

References:
https://www.timvandevall.com/science/animal-cell-diagram/
https://basicbiology.net/micro/cells/animal-cells
TYPES OF ANIMAL CELLS
SKIN CELLS
The skin cells of animals mostly consist of keratinocytes and
melanocytes – ‘cyte’ meaning cell. Keratinocytes make up around 90%
of all skin cells and produce a protein called ‘keratin’. The keratin in skin
cells helps to make skin an effective layer of protection for the body.
Keratin also makes hair and nails. Melanocytes are the second main type
of skin cell. They produce a compound called ‘melanin’ which gives skin
its color.
MUSCLE CELLS
Myocytes, muscle fibers or muscle cells are long tubular cells
responsible for moving an organism’s limbs and organs. Muscle cells
can be either skeletal muscle cells, cardiac muscle cells or smooth
muscle cells. Skeletal muscle cells are responsible for making general,
conscious movements of the body. Cardiac muscle cells control
contractions of heart and smooth muscle cells control subconscious
movements of tissues such as blood vessels, the uterus, and the stomach.
BLOOD CELLS
Blood cells can be split into red and white blood cells. Red blood
cells make up around 99.9% of all blood cells and are responsible for
delivering oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Red blood cells
are the only animal cells that do not have a nucleus. White blood cells
are a vital part of an animal’s immune system and help to battle infections
by killing off damaging bacteria and other compounds.
NERVE CELLS
Nerve cells, also called neurons, are the main cells of the
nervous system. The human brain alone has around 100 billion nerve
cells. They are the message carriers of animal cells and deliver and
receive signals using dendrites and axons. Dendrites and axons are
extensions from the cell that receive and export signals to and from the
cell, respectively.
FAT CELLS
Fat cells, also known as adipocytes or lipocytes, are used to store
fats and other lipids as energy reserves. There are two common types of
fat cells in animals – white fat cells and brown fat cells. The main
difference between the two cell types is the way they store lipids. White
fat cells have one large lipid drop whereas in brown fat cells there are
multiple, smaller lipid droplets spread through the cell.

References:
https://www.timvandevall.com/science/animal-cell-diagram/
https://basicbiology.net/micro/cells/animal-cells