Animal Cells
Biology: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 2.1.1
Animal Cell
Sub-cellular structures are things found in a cell. An animal cell contains the following sub-cellular structures:
Cell membrane
- The cell membrane separates the interior (inside) of the cell from the environment outside.
- It is selectively permeable (it can control substances moving in and out of the cell).
Nucleus
- The nucleus contains chromosomes (which contain the cell's genetic material).
Ribosomes
- Ribosomes are responsible for synthesising (making) proteins.
Mitochondria
- Mitochondria is where aerobic respiration takes place.
- Aerobic respiration is a process which uses glucose and oxygen to release energy.
Cytoplasm
- Cytoplasm is a jelly-like fluid that fills the cell.
- It is where most of the cell’s chemical reactions take place.
Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)
- This is a membrane-bound structure that is involved with protein synthesis.
- It is covered in ribosomes, and forms around the nucleus.