Cell Function Present in Present in Present in

Component Prokaryotes? Animal Plant Cells?

Cells?
Plasma Separates cell from external Yes Yes Yes
membrane environment; controls the
passage of organic
molecules, ions, water,
oxygen, and wastes into and
out of the cell
Cytoplasm Provides turgor pressure to Yes Yes Yes
plant cells as fluid inside the
central vacuole; site of many
metabolic reactions; medium
in which organelles are found
Nucleolus Darkened area within the No Yes Yes
nucleus where ribosomal
subunits are synthesized
Nucleus Cell organelle that houses No Yes Yes
DNA and directs synthesis of
ribosomes and proteins
Ribosomes Protein synthesis Yes Yes Yes
Mitochondria ATP production / cellular No Yes Yes
respiration
Peroxisomes Oxidizes and thus breaks No Yes Yes
down fatty acids and amino
acids, and detoxifies poisons
Vesicles and Storage and transport; No Yes Yes
vacuoles digestive function in plant
cells
Centrosome Unspecified role in cell No Yes No
division in animal cells;
source of microtubules in
animal cells
Lysosomes Digestion of No Yes No
macromolecules; recycling of
worn-out organelles
Cell wall Protection, structural Yes, primarily No Yes,
support, and maintenance of peptidoglycan primarily
cell shape cellulose
Chloroplasts Photosynthesis No No Yes
Endoplasmic Modifies proteins and No Yes Yes
reticulum synthesizes lipids
Golgi Modifies, sorts, tags, No Yes Yes
apparatus packages, and distributes
lipids and proteins
Cytoskeleton Maintains cell’s shape, Yes Yes Yes
secures organelles in specific
positions, allows cytoplasm
and vesicles to move within
cell, and enables unicellular
organisms to move
independently
Flagella Cellular locomotion Some Some No, except
for some
plant sperm
cells.
Cilia Cellular locomotion, Some Some No
movement of particles along
extracellular surface of
plasma membrane, and
fibration