Intro to Cell Vocabulary

Fancy Names
For
Simple Things
 Cells
 Cells are the basic unit of all living
things…if it is alive it has cells
 Two “Classes” of Cells
 There are 2 classes of cells. There are
only two differences between Plant &
Animal cells…try to spot them by the end
of the show
Plant cells Animal Cells
 Cell Differentiation
 There are only 2 classes of cells
(plant/animal), but there are many kinds
of cells in each class. Each kind of cell has
a DIFFERENT job to do…it specializes.
I am a
heart cell! I am a I’m a
skin cell Prison
Cell! 
 When you hear the new
vocabulary…just think of a

Turtle
 Cell Membrane
 The cell membrane holds the cell
together and allows nutrients in the cell
 It’s just like a turtle’s skin
 The cell membrane is on the edge of a
cell
 Cytoplasm
 Cytoplasm is the watery gel (Jello!) inside
a cell….it’s goop! It holds the ORGANelles
 Cytoplasm is like the turtles blood and
other liquids
 Mitochondria
 Mitochondria is an ORGANelle that
releases energy from food
 Mitochondria is like a turtle’s stomach
 Nucleus
 The nucleus controls the cell
 The nucleus is like the turtle’s brain
 Chromosomes
 Chromosomes are inside the nucleus and
are made of genes (DNA)
 Genes decide the cells traits and activities
(heart cell, eye cell (color))
 Nuclear Membrane
 The nuclear membrane allows substances
to pass in and out of the nucleus
 It surrounds the nucleus (the brain) like
the turtle’s skull…protects it
 Vacuoles
 Vacuoles are spaces in the cytoplasm (gel)
where food and chemicals are stored
 It’s like “fat” on a turtle

I am NOT
fat…I’m just a
little plump!!
 Cell Wall
 Cell Walls are only in plant cells
 They make the cell strong and rigid
 They are like a turtle’s shell (but only
plants have them…that’s why grass stands
straight up!)
 Chloroplasts
 Chloroplasts are only in plant cells
 They contain chlorophyll, which helps
make energy/food from sunlight
 Chlorophyll is green in color…so any plant
that is green has chloroplasts

I’m green…do I
have
chloroplasts?
 What’s the Difference?
 So what are two things that Plant cells
have that animal cells don’t?

Chloroplasts &
Cell Walls
What would happen if animals had
Chloroplasts?
 Now, let’s review…
 Cell Membrane Cell Wall Chloroplasts
 Chromosomes Nucleus Nuclear Membrane
 Mitochondria Cytoplasm Vacuoles
 Plant/Animal Cell Differentiation Cells
 Congratulations
 You now know all the vocabulary for cells
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