Cell Diagrams

Animal Cell

Hover over any cell part's label to see a short description. Select the label for a more detailed explanation of its structure and function.

Cell Membrane

Cytoplasm

Vacuole

Nucleus

Mitochondria

Endoplasmic Reticulum

View Plant Cell

Animal Cell

Hover over any cell part's label to see a short description. Select the label for a more detailed explanation of its structure and function.

Cell Membrane

Cytoplasm

Vacuole

Nucleus

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Mitochondria

View Plant Cell

Plant Cell

Hover over any cell part's label to see a short description. Select the label for a more detailed explanation of its structure and function.

Cell Membrane

Cytoplasm

Vacuole

Nucleus

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Mitochondria

View Plant Cell

Cytoplasm

• Cytoplasm is a gel-like fluid that fills the inside of a cell.
• It holds and supports the cell’s organelles, like the nucleus and mitochondria.
• It allows molecules and nutrients to move around, helping the cell function.
• All cells—plant, animal, bacteria, and more—have cytoplasm.

Inside a Cell: A 3D View of Cell Structures and Organelles

Endoplasmic Reticulum

• The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a network of folded membranes found in plant, animal, fungi, and protist cells (all eukaryotic cells).
• It helps make and transport materials within the cell.
• The rough ER has ribosomes on its surface and is responsible for making proteins.
• The smooth ER has no ribosomes and is responsible for producing lipids (fats).

Animal Cell

Nucleus

• The nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle that contains DNA and controls the cell’s activities, such as growth and reproduction.
• It acts as the cell’s command center, sending instructions to other parts of the cell.
• The nucleus is surrounded by a nuclear membrane, which regulates what enters and exits.
• It is found in eukaryotic cells, including animals, plants, fungi, and protists.
• Prokaryotic cells, like bacteria, do not have a nucleus; instead, their DNA floats freely in the cytoplasm.

Inside a Cell: A 3D View of Cell Structures and Organelles

Mitochondria

• Mitochondria are bean-shaped organelles found in plant, animal, fungi, and protist cells (all eukaryotic cells).
• They are known as the "powerhouses of the cell" because they produce energy.
• Mitochondria use oxygen and nutrients to make ATP (energy) through a process called cellular respiration.
• Cells that need more energy, like muscle cells, have more mitochondria.

Animal Cell

Cell Membrane

• The cell membrane is a thin, flexible layer around the outside of the cell.
• It controls what enters and leaves the cell, acting like a security gate.
• It helps the cell maintain homeostasis, keeping the internal environment stable.
• All plant, animal, and other living cells have a cell membrane.

Inside a Cell: A 3D View of Cell Structures and Organelles

Vacuole

• A vacuole is a membrane-bound storage sac found in plant and animal cells.
• It holds water, nutrients, and waste until they are needed or can be released.
• It helps maintain cell structure and supports cellular functions.
• Animal cells have multiple small vacuoles for storage and waste removal.
• Plant cells have one large vacuole that maintains turgor pressure, stores water, and helps keep the plant upright by providing structural support.

Animal Cell

Endoplasmic Reticulum

• The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a network of folded membranes found in plant, animal, fungi, and protist cells (all eukaryotic cells).
• It helps make and transport materials within the cell.
• The rough ER has ribosomes on its surface and is responsible for making proteins.
• The smooth ER has no ribosomes and is responsible for producing lipids (fats).

Animal Cell

Cytoplasm

• Cytoplasm is a gel-like fluid that fills the inside of a cell.
• It holds and supports the cell’s organelles, like the nucleus and mitochondria.
• It allows molecules and nutrients to move around, helping the cell function.
• All cells—plant, animal, bacteria, and more—have cytoplasm.

Inside a Cell: A 3D View of Cell Structures and Organelles

Nucleus

• The nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle that contains DNA and controls the cell’s activities, such as growth and reproduction.
• It acts as the cell’s command center, sending instructions to other parts of the cell.
• The nucleus is surrounded by a nuclear membrane, which regulates what enters and exits.
• It is found in eukaryotic cells, including animals, plants, fungi, and protists.
• Prokaryotic cells, like bacteria, do not have a nucleus; instead, their DNA floats freely in the cytoplasm.

Inside a Cell: A 3D View of Cell Structures and Organelles

Mitochondria

• Mitochondria are bean-shaped organelles found in plant, animal, fungi, and protist cells (all eukaryotic cells).
• They are known as the "powerhouses of the cell" because they produce energy.
• Mitochondria use oxygen and nutrients to make ATP (energy) through a process called cellular respiration.
• Cells that need more energy, like muscle cells, have more mitochondria.

Animal Cell

Vacuole

• A vacuole is a membrane-bound storage sac found in plant and animal cells.
• It holds water, nutrients, and waste until they are needed or can be released.
• It helps maintain cell structure and supports cellular functions.
• Animal cells have multiple small vacuoles for storage and waste removal.
• Plant cells have one large vacuole that maintains turgor pressure, stores water, and helps keep the plant upright by providing structural support.

Animal Cell

Cell Membrane

• The cell membrane is a thin, flexible layer around the outside of the cell.
• It controls what enters and leaves the cell, acting like a security gate.
• It helps the cell maintain homeostasis, keeping the internal environment stable.
• All plant, animal, and other living cells have a cell membrane.

Inside a Cell: A 3D View of Cell Structures and Organelles

Endoplasmic Reticulum

• The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a network of folded membranes found in plant, animal, fungi, and protist cells (all eukaryotic cells).
• It helps make and transport materials within the cell.
• The rough ER has ribosomes on its surface and is responsible for making proteins.
• The smooth ER has no ribosomes and is responsible for producing lipids (fats).

Animal Cell

Cytoplasm

• Cytoplasm is a gel-like fluid that fills the inside of a cell.
• It holds and supports the cell’s organelles, like the nucleus and mitochondria.
• It allows molecules and nutrients to move around, helping the cell function.
• All cells—plant, animal, bacteria, and more—have cytoplasm.

Inside a Cell: A 3D View of Cell Structures and Organelles

Nucleus

• The nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle that contains DNA and controls the cell’s activities, such as growth and reproduction.
• It acts as the cell’s command center, sending instructions to other parts of the cell.
• The nucleus is surrounded by a nuclear membrane, which regulates what enters and exits.
• It is found in eukaryotic cells, including animals, plants, fungi, and protists.
• Prokaryotic cells, like bacteria, do not have a nucleus; instead, their DNA floats freely in the cytoplasm.

Inside a Cell: A 3D View of Cell Structures and Organelles

Mitochondria

• Mitochondria are bean-shaped organelles found in plant, animal, fungi, and protist cells (all eukaryotic cells).
• They are known as the "powerhouses of the cell" because they produce energy.
• Mitochondria use oxygen and nutrients to make ATP (energy) through a process called cellular respiration.
• Cells that need more energy, like muscle cells, have more mitochondria.

Animal Cell

Vacuole

• A vacuole is a membrane-bound storage sac found in plant and animal cells.
• It holds water, nutrients, and waste until they are needed or can be released.
• It helps maintain cell structure and supports cellular functions.
• Animal cells have multiple small vacuoles for storage and waste removal.
• Plant cells have one large vacuole that maintains turgor pressure, stores water, and helps keep the plant upright by providing structural support.

Animal Cell

Cell Membrane

• The cell membrane is a thin, flexible layer around the outside of the cell.
• It controls what enters and leaves the cell, acting like a security gate.
• It helps the cell maintain homeostasis, keeping the internal environment stable.
• All plant, animal, and other living cells have a cell membrane.

Inside a Cell: A 3D View of Cell Structures and Organelles