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Understanding Animal Cells

            
             There are a great amount of living things across the Earth with one common theme, that is that they are all made up of cells. The structure of a cell and the different components within a cell will be discussed as seen under an electron microscope which is able to magnify the cell much more than a simple light microscope. Animal cells are known as being Eukaryotic, literally translated as "good nucleus" indicating that the cell consists of many organelles including the nucleus.
             Structures and Functions of Cell Organelles.
             The main feature of an animal cell is the nucleus enclosed by a nuclear envelope which is a double membrane system. This envelope is perforated with nuclear pores which allow the passage of molecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm. The nucleus also contains chromatin, a condensed complex of DNA and protein which make up chromosomes. DNA carries the instructions for cell division and also controls cell growth. Outside of the nucleus is what is referred to as the cytoplasm, a jelly like substance which fills the inner space of the cell between the outer membrane and the nucleic membrane. Within the cytoplasm are all the other organelles of a cell. (Appendix 1). Mitochondria are the energy source within a cell, they have two membranes the inner membrane has a folded appearance known as cristae. The cristae serve to increase the surface area for chemical reactions to occur converting oxygen and nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which is required for cell respiration. Endoplasmic Reticulum or ER serves a variety of functions within a cell dependent on which type it is. Smooth ER has as its name suggests has a smooth tube like appearance which is responsible for the production of lipids and steroids. The rough ER is so called as it has a bumpy appearance due to the ribosomes that are attached to it, the purpose of these are to produce proteins which are usually transported out of the cell via the golgi body.


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