What is an Animal Cell?

An animal cell is any cell found in an organism from the kingdom Animalia. Animal cells may be
different sizes and shapes and may carry out a wide range of actions, which tend to be specialized
depending on the type of animal cell.

An animal cell is a type of cell that differs from plant or fungi cells. Like plant and fungi cells, an
animal cell is eukaryotic, but animal cells lack the cell wall structure found in plant and fungi cell
types. However, the components listed below are typical components found in most animal cells.
There are 12 main components of an animal cell:

 The Cell Membrane

The cell membrane is the outer edge of the cell and forms the boundary between the inside of the
cell with all of its organelles and the extracellular matrix. The cell membrane is composed of a lipid
bilayer, which forms spontaneously in an aqueous environment as the hydrophobic tails of the
lipids press together while the hydrophilic head groups of the lipids form a protective boundary to
keep water out of the centre of the membrane.

 The Nucleus

The nucleus has two main functions: it contains all of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of the cell,
and it directs the activities of the cell.

The DNA molecules found in each cell are the blueprints for proteins, which perform extensive and
varied functions within living organisms. In order for the long strands of DNA to fit within the
nucleus of the cell, the DNA molecules are wound around histones (a type of protein) to form
chromosomes.

 The Nucleolus

The nucleolus is a small area within the nucleus where ribosomes are made. Ribosomes are
described further down in this article.

 The Nuclear Membrane

The nuclear membrane is similar to the cell membrane, except that it surrounds the nucleus within
the cell, and performs less of a regulatory function. The nuclear membrane is porous and allows
RNA and proteins to pass in and out of the nucleus.

 Cytoplasm/Cytosol

The cytosol is a thick, gel-like fluid that fills the space inside of a cell, and in which the organelles
are suspended. The name of the total contents of the cell, minus the nucleus, is the cytoplasm (the
cytosol plus the suspended organelles).

 Endoplasmic Reticulum

Endoplasmic reticulum is composed of interconnected membranous channels called cisternae and

is connected to the nuclear membrane. The endoplasmic reticulum functions in transportation and
modification of molecules.
  The Golgi Apparatus

The Golgi apparatus is also made of cisternae that are not interconnected. The Golgi functions in
packaging and shipping. It takes molecules produced by the cell, such as proteins and lipids,
modifies them if necessary (such as folding for proteins), and packs them into vesicles so that they
can be shipped around or outside of the cell.

 Ribosomes

Ribosomes are organelles made of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein and are either attached to
the endoplasmic reticulum or suspended in the cytosol. Ribosomes facilitate protein synthesis.

 Mitochondria

Mitochondria are large organelles that have both an inner and outer membrane, as well as their
own mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondria are the site of cellular respiration in cells, where oxygen
and glucose are converted into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which cells use for energy.

 Centrioles/Centrosomes

Centrosomes contain centrioles; the centrioles are small gatherings of microtubules that help with
cell division during mitosis. The centrosomes organize and synthesize microtubules.

 Cytoskeleton

The cytoskeleton is composed of a network of filaments and tubules that allows the organelles of
the cell to remain in place and gives the cell strength and shape. The cytoskeleton can also play a
role in transport within the cell.

 Vacuoles

Vacuoles are small storage pockets formed of a single membrane layer containing gas (such as
oxygen or carbon dioxide) or fluid (such as water) found within cells.

 Vesicles

Vesicles are similar to vacuoles but are part of the transportation system of the cell. Specialized
vesicles can also be involved in cellular metabolism.

a. Lysosomes

Lysosomes are specialized vesicles in which protein enzymes are contained. The lysosomes break
down macromolecules into their components for further use by the cell.

b. Peroxisomes

Peroxisomes are common in animal cells and perform oxidative digestion.

Plant Cell Parts

The plant cell has many different parts. Each part of the cell has a specialized function. These
structures are called organelles. The most important components within the cells to achieve these
ends are the cell wall and the vacuole.

 Chloroplasts

Chloroplasts are found only in plant and algae cells. These organelles carry out the process of
photosynthesis, which turns water, carbon dioxide, and light energy into nutrients, also gives
plants their green color.

 Vacuoles

Plant cells are unique in that they have a large central vacuole. The central vacuole of a plant cell
helps maintain its turgor pressure, which is the pressure of the contents of the cell pushing against
the cell wall.

 Cell Wall

The cell wall is a tough layer found on the outside of the plant cell that gives it strength and also
maintains high turgidity. In plants, the cell wall contains mainly cellulose

Other Organelles

Plant cells have many other organelles that are essentially the same as organelles in other types of
eukaryotic cells, such as animal cells. The nucleus contains a cell’s deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), its
genetic material. DNA contains instructions for making proteins, which controls all of the body’s
activities.

Proteins are synthesized in ribosomes, modified in the endoplasmic reticulum, and folded, sorted,
and packaged into vesicles in the Golgi apparatus.

Mitochondria are also found in plant cells. They produce ATP through cellular respiration.

The liquid within cells is the cytosol. It is mostly made of water, Cytosol and all the organelles
within it, except for the nucleus, are called the cytoplasm.

The cytoskeleton is a network of filaments and tubules found throughout the cytoplasm of the
cell. It has many functions; it gives the cell shape, provides strength, stabilizes tissues, anchors
organelles within the cell, and has a role in cell signaling.

The cell membrane, a double phospholipid layer, surrounds the entire cell.
Anterior chamber: The region of the eye between the cornea and the lens that contains aqueous
humor.

Aqueous humor: The fluid produced in the eye.

Bruch's membrane: Located in the retina between the choroid and the retinal pigmented epithelium
(RPE) layer; provides support to the retina and functions as the 'basement' membrane of the RPE
layer.

Ciliary body: Part of the eye, above the lens, that produces the aqueous humor.

Choroid: Layer of the eye behind the retina, contains blood vessels that nourish the retina.

Cones: The photoreceptor nerve cells present in the macula and concentrated in the fovea (the very
center of the macula); enable people to see fine detail and color.

Cornea: The outer, transparent structure at the front of the eye that covers the iris, pupil and
anterior chamber; it is the eye's primary light-focusing structure.

Drusen: Deposits of yellowish extra cellular waste products that accumulate within and beneath the
retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) layer.

Fovea: The pit or depression at the center of the macula that provides the greatest visual acuity.

Iris: The colored ring of tissue behind the cornea that regulates the amount of light entering the eye
by adjusting the size of the pupil.

Lens: The transparent structure suspended behind the iris that helps to focus light on the retina; it
primarily provides a fine-tuning adjustment to the primary focusing structure of the eye, which is
the cornea.

Macula: The portion of the eye at the center of the retina that processes sharp, clear straight-ahead
vision.

Optic nerve: The bundle of nerve fibers at the back of the eye that carry visual messages from the
retina to the brain.
Photoreceptors: The light sensing nerve cells (rods and cones) located in the retina.

Pupil: The adjustable opening at the center of the iris through which light enters the eye.

Retina: The light sensitive layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye.

Retinal Pigmented Epithelium (RPE): A layer of cells that protects and nourishes the retina, removes
waste products, prevents new blood vessel growth into the retinal layer and absorbs light not
absorbed by the photoreceptor cells; these actions prevent the scattering of the light and enhance
clarity of vision.

Rods: Photoreceptor nerve cells in the eyes that are sensitive to low light levels and are present in
the retina, but outside the macula.

Sclera: The tough outer coat that protects the entire eyeball.

Trabecular meshwork: Spongy tissue located near the cornea through which aqueous humor flows
out of the eye.

Vitreous: Clear jelly-like substance that fills the eye from the lens to the back of the eye.
The skin is the largest organ of the body, with a total area of about 20 square feet. The skin protects
us from microbes and the elements, helps regulate body temperature, and permits the sensations
of touch, heat, and cold.

Skin has three layers:

 The epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, provides a waterproof barrier and creates our
skin tone.
 The dermis, beneath the epidermis, contains tough connective tissue, hair follicles, and
sweat glands.
 The deeper subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) is made of fat and connective tissue.

The skin’s color is created by special cells called melanocytes, which produce the pigment melanin.
Melanocytes are located in the epidermis.
MRS GREN

 Movement
 Respiration
 Sensitivity
 Growth
 Reproduction
 Excretion
 Nutrition.

MOVEMENT is evolutionarily important for organisms because it improves the chances of catching
food or avoiding capture for both predator and prey.

RESPIRATION is the conversion of energy from carbohydrates and fats into energy that can be used
by cells. In multi-cellular organisms, respiration is built around the breakdown of sugars with the
use of oxygen.

SENSITIVITY refers to the way organisms respond to their environment.

GROWTH is an irreversible change in mass. It is possible because respiration provides excess energy
for organisms to use to grow.

REPRODUCTION is the creation of a living thing from an existing organism.

EXCRETION all organisms produce wastes that need to be removed.

NUTRITION in order for organisms to survive they require food for energy and nutrients.