Name: ______________________________________

Dohnovan Rankins Date: ________________________

Student Exploration: Cell Structure

Vocabulary: cell membrane, cell wall, centriole, chloroplast, cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum,
Golgi apparatus, lysosome, mitochondria, nuclear membrane, nucleolus, nucleus, organelle,
plastid, ribosome, vacuole, vesicle

Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)

1. What are some of the structures inside a cell that help it to live and perform its role in an

Nucleus and plasma membrane.

_________________________________________________________________________

2. How do you think plant cells differ from animal cells? (Hint: What can plants do that animals

Plants can get energy from sunlight.

_________________________________________________________________________

Gizmo Warm-up
The Cell Structure Gizmo allows you to look at typical animal
and plant cells under a microscope. On the ANIMAL CELL
tab, click Sample to take a sample of an animal cell. Use the
Zoom slider to see the cell at a magnification of 2000x (2000
times larger than normal). On the dropdown menu, select
Centrioles.

1. Use the up/down and left/right sliders to manipulate the

Organize the movement of

chromosomes during cell division.

_________________________________________________________________________

2018
 Get the Gizmo ready:
Activity A:
• Check that an Animal cell is mounted on the
Animal cells microscope.
• Check that the Zoom is set to 2000x.

Question: Organelles are specialized structures that perform various functions in the
cell. What are the functions of the organelles in an animal cell?

1. Label: Locate each organelle in the animal cell. Label the organelles in the diagram below.

Nucleolus
Nuclear envelope Lysosome

Nucleus

Plasma membrane
Cytoplasm

Endoplasmic reticulum
Centriole

Vesicles
Golgi apparatus
Vaculoes

Ribosomes
Mitochondrion

2. Match: Read about each organelle. Then match each organelle to its function/description.
H
____ Cytoplasm A. Structure that organizes motion of chromosomes.
____
E Lysosome B. Stack of membranes that packages chemicals.
____
F Mitochondria C. Membrane that protects the nucleus.
A Centriole
____ D. Membrane that surrounds and protects the cell.
G Endoplasmic reticulum
____ E. Sac filled with digestive chemicals.
M Vacuole
____ F. Structures that convert nutrients to energy.
D Cell membrane
____ G. Passageways where chemicals are made.
J Nucleus
____ H. Jelly-like substance within the cell membrane.
____
L Ribosome I. Structure that manufactures ribosomes.
____
C Nuclear membrane J. Structure that contains DNA and regulates genes.
B Golgi apparatus
____ K. Package created by the Golgi apparatus.
K Vesicle
____ L. Small structure that synthesizes proteins.
I
____ Nucleolus M. Sac that stores water, nutrients, or waste products.

2018
 Get the Gizmo ready:
Activity B:
• Select the PLANT CELL tab, and click Sample.
Plant cells
• Set the Zoom to 2000x.

Question: What functions do the organelles in a plant cell perform?

1. Label: Locate each organelle in the plant cell. Label the organelles in the diagram below.
Nucleolus
Endoplasmic reticulum
Nuclear envelope
Nucleus

Plasma membrane
Mitochondrion

Cytoplasm
Golgi apparatus

Cell wall
Vesicle
Chloroplast
Plastids

Vacuole Ribosomes

2. Compare: What structures are present in an animal cell, but not in a plant cell? __________

Centrioles and lysosomes are in animal cells but not in plants cells
_________________________________________________________________________

Chloroplasts, plastids and the

cell wall are in plants cells but aren't in animal cells.

3. Fill in: Name the organelle or organelles that perform each of the following functions.

Chloroplasts
A. _____________________ convert sunlight to chemical energy.

B. The _____________________
cell wall vacuole
and the _____________________ help to support

the plant cell and help it to maintain its shape.

Plastids
C. _____________________ store food or pigments.

D. The _____________________
mitochondrion converts food into energy. It is found in both plant

cells and animal cells.

2018