Mastery Check #2 - Cell Organelles
What is the function of a bike? It transports us from one place to another in a safe and quick way. How does a bike accomplish this task? It is made up of smaller parts that work together to help us to move, stop, turn, and sit comfortably.
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The Nucleus
Cell Membrane
The cell membrane controls what comes in and out of the cell. It is the outer layer of the cell.
Cell Wall
Cell walls are only found in plant cells. The surround the cell and give it structure and support. Why would this be important for plants cells but not animals cells? Many animals have other ways of support such as bones, shells or exoskeletons. Plants don't have bones or shells, they have cell walls. Cell walls and cell membranes seem very similar but they are different. The both are found around the cell. However, the cell wall just gives support and structure to the cell, whereas the cell membrane is what allows stuff in and out of the cell.
Mitochondria
Everything that a cell does requires energy. Where do cells get their energy from? From food! The mitochondria takes the energy from our food and turns it into a form that cells can use. As you can see in the picture on the right, the mitochondria is a bean-shaped organelle. It is often compared to a power plant since it produces energy for the cell.
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Chloroplasts
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If we need food for energy, where does that energy come from? Food is made by plants that do photosynthesis. Photosynthesis uses sunlight energy to make food. This process is done by the chloroplasts. In other words, chloroplasts make food. Mitochondria and chloroplasts work together to get energy for living things. Chloroplasts make the food, and mitochondria get energy from the food. Picture #2 on the left shows how chloroplasts look under a microscope. These would be leaf cells, because that is where photosynthesis happens.
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