Structure of the Cell

The cell has four main parts: the cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, and cell organelles.

1. Cell Wall: Found only in plant cells. It is the outermost covering, giving the cell a rigid shape and protection.

2. Cell Membrane (plasma membrane): Thin, delicate coverings are found in both animal and plant cells. It is the outermost layer in animal cells.

3. Cytoplasm: Jelly-like liquid inside the cell, between the cell membrane and the nucleus. It holds cell organelles (like the nucleus, mitochondria, etc.).

4. Cell Organelles: Tiny parts inside the cell that do specific jobs. Examples: nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi bodies, mitochondria, lysosomes, and vacuoles.

• Nucleus: controls the cell’s activities and has a porous double membrane around it.
• Endoplasmic Reticulum: Helps modify proteins made by ribosomes and sends them to Golgi bodies.
• Golgi bodies: properly package and distribute proteins.
• Mitochondria: Produce energy for the cell, called the “powerhouse” of the cell.
• Chloroplasts: Found only in plant cells; help in photosynthesis.
• Vacuoles: Store waste and water. Large in plants, small in animals.