What are Cells?

A cell is the smallest unit of an organism. A cell helps with the growth, reproduction, response to the environment, and the production of food of an organism.

An organism is a living thing. There are two types of organisms.

1. Unicellular Organisms
   • These are organisms with only one cell.
2. Multicellular Organisms
   • These organisms have more than one cell.

 

What is inside an animal cell?

Animals are multicellular organisms. Each cell has different organelles, which help perform the four life processes of the animal.

• Cell Membrane
  • This is the outermost layer of the cell
  • It contains other organelles inside of it
  • The cell membrane controls what go in and out of the cell
• Cytoplasm
  • The cytoplasm is a gel-like substance that fills the inside of the cell membrane
  • It keeps other organelles in the cell
• Nucleus
  • The nucleus has it’s own membrane
  • It is the most important part of a cell
  • The nucleus controls the organelles of the cell and acts as the brain of the cell
  • Pores of the Nucleus allow materials to go in and out of the nucleus
• Mitochondria
  • The mitochondria breaks down food to produce energy
  • Cells with more energy need more mitochondria
• Vacuole
  • The vacuole stores food, water, and wastes
  • There are more than one Vacuoles in an animal cell.

What is in a Plant Cell?

The plant cell has all the same things as the animal cell, but there are a few new organelles.

• Cell Wall
  • The cell wall is the outermost covering of the plant cell
  • It gives the cell it’s strength, shape, and support
• Chloroplast
  • Chloroplast has a green structure, this is why plants are usually green
  • The chloroplast traps sunlight and turns it into food for the plant
  • Plant cells without chloroplast are not green

Another thing to remember is that there is only one vacuole in the plant cell.