PARTS OF THE ANIMAL CELL

animal cell

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The typical eukaryotic animal cell contains membranous organelles and nonmembranous organelles in the cytoplasm, which characterize it and allow it to perform heterotrophic nutrition.

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Nucleus

Function

• Processing and managing cell information.

Quantity

• Normally, eukaryotic cells have only one nucleus, but there can be exceptions.

Composition

• The shape of this organelle varies depending on the cell in which it is found, but it is usually round.

rough endoplasmic reticulum

Function

• Responsible for producing, storing, and transporting proteins.

Characteristics

• It gets its name due to the appearance of ribosomes attached to its surface.

smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Function

• Responsible for the production of lipids.

lysosomes

Function

• Contains digestive enzymes with which to perform cellular digestion.

Golgi apparatus

Function

• Here, the substances produced in the endoplasmic reticulum are modified and vesicles are generated that will form part of other cellular organelles or be expelled.

Composition

• Consists of sacks and vesicles from the endoplasmic reticulum.

mitochondria

Function

• They are large organelles that are responsible for obtaining the energy needed by the cell through cellular respiration. It uses oxygen to oxidize the organic matter that reaches it, and energy and carbon dioxide (CO2) are released.

Composition

• They have an elongated shape and have two membranes: an internal membrane that folds into ridges and a smooth external membrane.

centrioles

Function

• Involved in cellular division, forming the spindle and cytoskeleton.

Composition

• They are cylindrical organelles, exclusive to animal cells.

Characteristics

• They are normally found in the centrosome, an area of the cytoplasm near the nucleus.

plasma membrane

Function

• Controls the exchange of substances from the cell with the external environment, that is, the food that enters and the waste that is expelled.

Composition

• All cell structures are surrounded by a plasma membrane, whose composition is similar to that of membranous organelles.