7/23/2019 Animal Cell Definition

1/4

Animal Cell Defnition

Animal cells are eukarytoic. Animal cells are have outer boundary known as the plasma membrane. The

nucleus and the organelles of the cell are bound by a membrane. The genetic material (DNA) in animal

cells is within the nucleus that is bound by a double membrane. The cell organelles have a vast range of

functions to perform like hormone and enzyme production to providing energy for the cells.

The components of animal cells are centrioles cilia and flagella endoplasmic reticulum golgi apparatus

lysosomes microfilaments microtubules mitochondria nucleus pero!isomes plasma membrane and

ribosomes.

Parts o Animal Cell

Animal cell contains membrane bound nucleus it also contains other membrane bound cellular

organelles. These cellular organelles carry out specific functions that are necessary for the normalfunctioning of the cell. Animal cells lack cell wall a large vacuole and plastids. Due to the lack of the cell

wall the shape and size of the animal cells are mostly irregular. The constituents of animal cells are

structures like centrioles cilia and flagella and lysosomes.

Parts of the animal cell are as follows:

Cell membrane" forms the outer covering of the cell and is semi"permeable.

Cytoplasm" is a gel"like matri! where all the other cell organelles are suspended inside the cell.

Nucleus" contains the hereditary material DNA and directs the activities of the cell.

Centrioles" organize the microtubules assembly during cell division.

Endoplasmic Reticulum" are a network of membranes composed of rough and smooth endoplasmic

reticulum.

Golgi complex" is responsible for storing packaging of cellular products.

Lysosomes" are enzyme sacs that digest cellular wastes.

Microtubules" are hollow rods function primarily as support and shape to the cell.

Mitochondria" is the site for cellular respiration and producers of energy.

Ribosomes" are made of #NA and proteins and are sites for protein synthesis.

Nucleolus " is the structure within the nucleus and helps in synthesis of ribosomes.

Nucleopore" is the tiny hole in the nuclear membrane allows the movement of nucleic acids and

proteins in$out of the cell.

7/23/2019 Animal Cell Definition

2/4

Chemistry of LifeLife on earth depends on the chemical elementcarbon, which is present in every living

thing. Carbon is so important, it forms the basis for two branches of chemistry, organicchemistry and biochemistry. The GED will expect you to be familiar with the following

terms:

Hydrocarbons- molecules that only contain the elements carbon and hydrogen

(e.g., CH4is a hydrocarbon while CO2is not)

Organic- refers to the chemistry of living things, all of which contain the element

carbon

Organic Chemistry- study of the chemistry of carbon compounds involved in life

(so, studying diamond, which is a crystalline form of carbon, isn't included in organic

chemistry, but studying how methane is produced is covered by organic chemistry)

Organic Molecules- molecules that have carbon atoms linked together in a straight

line (carbon chain) or in a circular ring (carbon ring)

Polymer- hydrocarbons which have chained together

Oxygen (%&') and hydrogen (') are predominantly found in waterwhich makes up about %

percent of the body by weight. *t+s practically impossible to imaginelife without water.

Carbon (,') is synonymous with life. *ts central role is due to the fact that it has four bonding sites

that allow for the building of long comple! chains of molecules. -oreover carbon bonds can be

formed and broken with a modest amount of energy allowing for the dynamic organic chemistry that

goes on in our cells.

Nitrogen (') is found in many organic molecules including the amino acids that make up proteins

and the nucleic acids that make up DNA.

Calcium (.&') is the most common mineral in the human body / nearly all of it found in bonesand teeth. *ronically calcium+s most important role is in bodily functions such as muscle contraction

and protein regulation. *n fact the body will actually pull calcium from bones (causing problems like

osteoporosis) if there+s not enough of the element in a person+s diet.

Phosphorus (') is found predominantly in bone but also in the molecule AT0 which provides

energy in cells for driving chemical reactions.

http://chemistry.about.com/od/elementfacts/a/carbon.htmhttp://www.livescience.com/3724-mystery-water.htmlhttp://www.livescience.com/3724-mystery-water.htmlhttp://cms.imaginova.com/ui/article/lhttp://cms.imaginova.com/ui/article/lhttp://www.livescience.com/811-molecule-sized-switch-control-dna-machines.htmlhttp://www.livescience.com/3724-mystery-water.htmlhttp://cms.imaginova.com/ui/article/lhttp://www.livescience.com/811-molecule-sized-switch-control-dna-machines.htmlhttp://chemistry.about.com/od/elementfacts/a/carbon.htm

7/23/2019 Animal Cell Definition

3/4

Potassium (.1&') is an importantelectrolyte(meaning it carries a charge in solution). *t helps

regulate the heartbeat and is vital for electrical signaling in nerves.

Sulfur (.1&') is found in two amino acids that are important for giving proteins their shape.

Sodium (.&') is another electrolyte that is vital for electrical signaling in nerves. *t also regulates

the amount of water in the body.

Chlorine (.&') is usually found in the body as a negative ion called chloride. This electrolyte is

important for maintaining a normal balance of fluids.

Magnesium (.&') plays an important role in the structure of the skeleton and muscles. *t also is

necessary in more than essential metabolic reactions.

Iron (.%') is a key element in the metabolism of almost all living organisms. *t is also found in

hemoglobin which is the o!ygen carrier in red blood cells. 2alf of women don+t get enough iron in

their diet.

Fluorine (.3') is found in teeth and bones. 4utside of preventing tooth decay it does not

appear to have any importance to bodily health.

inc (.1') is an essential trace element for all forms of life. 5everal proteins contain structures

called 6zinc fingers6 help to regulate genes. 7inc deficiency has been known to lead to dwarfism in

developing countries.

Copper (.') is important as an electron donor in various biological reactions. 8ithout enough

copper iron won+t work properly in the body.

Iodine (.%') is re9uired for making of thyroid hormones which regulate metabolic rate and

other cellular functions. *odine deficiency which can lead to goiter and brain damage is an important

health problem throughout much of the world.

Selenium (.:') is essential for certain enzymesincluding several anti"o!idants. ;nlike

animals plants do not appear to re9uire selenium for survival but they do absorb it so there are

several cases of selenium poisoning from eating plants grown in selenium"rich soils.

Chromium (.1

7/23/2019 Animal Cell Definition

4/4