Nucleus: The nucleus is the considered one of the most important and the most obvious part in an animal cell. It is enclosed in a double membrane and communicates with the surrounding cytosol via numerous nuclear pores. Within the nucleus are a bunch of chromosomes, which are also their DNA. They take up a big role in cell reproduction.

Nucleolus: A specific structure in the nucleus. They are in charge of making ribosome.

Cytoplasm: This is a collective term for the cytosol plus the organelles suspended within the cytosol.

Centriole (animal cells only): Each centriole is a ring of nine groups of fused microtubules. There are three microtubules in each group. Microtubules (and centrioles) are part of the cytoskeleton. In the complete animal cell centrosome, the two centrioles are arranged such that one is perpendicular to the other.

Golgi: The Golgi apparatus is a structure with a single membrane. It is actually a stack of membrane-bound vesicles that are important in packaging macromolecules for transport elsewhere in the cell.

Lysosome: Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes are in charge for the feeding of the cell. They are common in animal cells, but rare in plant cells.

Cell Membrane: It is basically the outer layer of the cell.

Mitochondria: They are the “power plant” of the cell. They are in charge of giving energy in order for the cell to divide.

Vacuole: A vacuole play several roles: storing nutrients and waste products, helping increase cell size during growth, and even acting much like Lysosomes of animal cells. But in plant cells, a vacuole can also store water.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum: The smooth endoplasmic reticulum is so named because it appears smooth by electron microscopy. Smooth ER plays different functions depending on the specific cell type including lipid and steroid hormone synthesis, breakdown of lipid-soluble toxins in liver cells, and control of calcium release in muscle cell contraction.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum: Rough endoplasmic reticulum appears "pebbled" by electron microscopy due to the presence of numerous ribosomes on its surface. Proteins synthesized on these ribosomes collect in the endoplasmic reticulum for transport throughout the cell.

Ribosomes: Messenger RNA from the cell nucleus is moved systematically along the ribosome where transfer RNA adds individual amino acid molecules to the lengthening protein chain.

Animal cells.. are... are.. DUH!! can only be found in animals.

QUESTIONS:

1. Which parts of the animal cell are also parts of the plant cell?

2. Why is the vacuole in a animal cell smaller than the vacuole in the plant cell?

3. What is the purpose for the animal cell?