Animal Cells: Structures and Organelles
The following are examples of structures and organelles that can be found in typical animal cells:- Centrioles - organize the assembly of microtubules during cell division.
- Cytoplasm - gel-like substance within the cell.
- Endoplasmic Reticulum - extensive network of membranes composed of both regions with ribosomes (rough ER) and regions without ribosomes (smooth ER).
- Golgi Complex - responsible for manufacturing, storing and shipping certain cellular products.
- Lysosomes - sacs of enzymes that digest cellular macromolecules such as nucleic acids.
- Microtubules - hollow rods that function primarily to help support and shape the cell.
- Mitochondria - power producers and the sites of cellular respiration.
- Nucleus - membrane bound structure that contains the cell's hereditary information.
- Nucleolus - structure within the nucleus that helps in the synthesis of ribosomes.
- Nucleopore - tiny hole within the nuclear membrane that allows nucleic acids and proteins to move into and out of the nucleus.
- Ribosomes - consisting of RNA and proteins, ribosomes are responsible for protein assembly.
Animal cells contain other cell structures that are not depicted in the illustration above. Some of these structures include the cytoskeleton, cilia and flagella and peroxisomes.
