Animal Cells are the basic unit of life in organisms of the kingdom Animalia.
They are
eukaryotic cells, meaning that they have a true nucleus and specialized structures called
organelles that carry out different functions.
Animals, plants, fungi, and protists are all made up of at least one eukaryotic cell. In contrast,
bacteria and archaea are made up of a single prokaryotic cell.
All cells are surrounded by a cell membrane (also called a plasma membrane).
Eukaryotic cells are distinguished from prokaryotic cells by the presence of a defined nucleus
and other membrane-bound organelles, such as the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and
Golgi apparatus.
Prokaryotic cells do not have a defined nucleus (instead, a region of the cytoplasm – called the
nucleotide – holds the genetic material). They also lack membrane-bound organelles.
Animals are all multicellular, meaning multiple cells work together to form the whole
organism.
Multicellular animals have other structures that provide support to their tissues and organs, such
as skeleton and cartilage.
A variety of different organelles that work together to allow the cell to perform its functions.
Each cell can be thought of as a large factory with many departments, like manufacturing,
packaging, shipping, and accounting.
NUCLEUS
it contains all the genetic material in a cell. This genetic information is called
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). DNA contains all the instructions for making proteins,
which control the body’s activities. Therefore, the nucleus is like the manager’s office of
the cell.
The nucleus contains DNA in the form of chromatin. Chromatin can be further compacted to form chromosomes.
The nucleus is surrounded by a double envelope that contains pores to allow certain materials to pass in and out. The
nucleus also contains a region called the nucleolus.
Ribosomes are organelles found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. They are like mini
machines that synthesize all the proteins in the cell (pimple like structure). In any single animal
cell, there can be as many as 10 million ribosomes!
The ribosomes form the manufacturing department of the cell.
In the nucleus, a sequence of DNA that codes for a specific protein is copied onto an intermediate
molecule called messenger RNA (mRNA).
The mRNA molecule carries this information to the ribosome, and its sequence determines the
order of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.
The ribosome synthesizes this polypeptide chain, which eventually folds to become a protein. In
animal cells, ribosomes can be found freely in a cell’s cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic
reticulum.
2 Kinds of Endoplasmic Reticulum
The Rough ER has ribosomes
attached to the surface of the sacs.
Smooth ER does not have
ribosomes attached and has
functions in storage, synthesizing
lipids, removing toxic substances.
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a network of flattened, membrane-bound sacs that are
involved in the production, processing, and transport of proteins that have been synthesized by
ribosomes. The endoplasmic reticulum is like the assembly line of the cell, where the products
produced by the ribosomes are processed and assembled.
The Golgi apparatus, also called
the Golgi complex or Golgi
body, receives proteins from the
ER and folds, sorts, and
packages these proteins into
vesicles. The Golgi apparatus is
like the shipping department of the
cell, as it packages proteins up for
delivery to their destinations.
Like the ER, the Golgi apparatus also
consists of a series of membrane-bound
sacs. These sacs originate from vesicles
that have budded off from the ER. Unlike
the system of membranes in the ER,
which are interconnected, the pouches of
the Golgi apparatus are discontinuous.
Lysosomes are a type of vesicle.
Vesicles are spheres surrounded by a membrane that excludes their contents from the rest
of the cytoplasm. Vesicles are used extensively within the cell for metabolism and
transport of large molecules that cannot cross membrane unaided.
Lysosomes are specialized vesicles
that contain digestive enzymes. These
enzymes can break down large
molecules like organelles,
carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins
into smaller units so that the cell can
reuse them.
Therefore, they are like the waste
disposal/recycling department of the
cell.
Mitochondria are the energy-producing organelles, commonly known as “the powerhouse of the
cell.”
The process of cellular respiration occurs in the
mitochondria. During this process, sugars and fats
are broken down through a series of chemical
reactions, releasing energy in the form of adenosine
triphosphate (ATP).
ATP is like the energy currency of the cell. Think of
each molecule like a rechargeable battery that can be
used to power various cellular processes.
CYTOPLASM
The cytosol is the gel-like liquid contained within cells.
The cytosol and all the organelles within it – except for the
nucleus – are collectively referred to as the cell’s
cytoplasm. This cytosol consists primarily of water, but also
contains ions, proteins, and small molecules. The pH is
generally neutral, around 7.
The cytoskeleton is a network of filaments and tubules
found throughout the cytoplasm of the cell.
It has many functions: it gives the cell shape,
provides strength, stabilizes tissues, anchors
organelles within the cell, and has a role in cell
signaling.
It also provides mechanical support to allow cells to
move and divide. There are three types of
cytoskeletal filaments: microfilaments,
microtubules, and intermediate filaments.
Cell membrane surrounds the entire cell and separates its components from the outer
environment.
The cell membrane is a double layer made up of phospholipids (called the phospholipid
bilayer).
Phospholipids are molecules with a phosphate group head attached to glycerol and
two fatty acid tails. They spontaneously form double membranes in water due to the
hydrophilic properties of the head and hydrophobic properties of the tails.
The cell membrane is selectively permeable, meaning it only allows certain molecules to
enter and exit. Oxygen and carbon dioxide pass through easily, while larger or charged
molecules must go through special channels, bind to receptors, or be engulfed.
Group 3 (12 BERNOULLI)
Animal Cell Abad, Joan Claire
Bangalando, Angel Faith
Structures and Functions Said, Farhana Hussin
Handang, Fatima Reyza
Nucleus
Otongan, Jehan
Ribosomes Jaal, Rashida
Pandaug, Nerhaina
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Ducao, Rayel Salahuddin
Golgi Apparatus Francisco, Joash Vince
Marajan, Jhonny
Lysosomes
Muamar, Jawad
Mandi, Emad
Sillahani, Arden
Mitochondria
Cytoplasm
Cytoskeleton
Cell Membrane
REMEMBER:
There are lots of different animal cells that each carry out specialized functions. Therefore, not
every animal cell has all types of organelles, but in general, animal cells do contain most (if
not all) of the following organelles. Additionally, some organelles will be highly abundant in
certain cells and not others.
“The Cell never acts; it reacts.” – Ernst Haeckel
