Lab Manual - eScience Labs

Lab 10: Cell Structure & Funcon
• Microfilaments: Small strands that help the cell resist tension. Think of it as a
piece of wire.
• Intermediate filaments: Anchors the organelles in the cell and provide addional
stability.
• Microtubules: Small hollow tubes that help the cell maintain its shape, move
things around within the cell and form other key structures.
• Centriole: Barrel shaped structures that help make cilia and flagella. They also play
a key role in cell division.
• Cilia: Small “hairs” on the outside of the cell. They help the cell move and are sensory
receptors.
• Flagella: The structure of eukaryoc flagella is far more complex than prokaryoc
flagella. They provide mobility by rotang back and forth, they help transport fluids
and serve as sensory receptors.
• Mitochondria: The “power plant” of the cell. They are a membrane bound organelle
(inner and outer membrane) with their own circular DNA, and make ATP
(energy) for the rest of the cell.
• Chloroplast: Think of them as the plant version of mitochondria. The main difference
is that they take light energy and convert it to mechanical energy.
• Peroxisomes: Contain enzymes that help the cell destroy toxins.
• Vacuole: Membrane bound “sacs” that provide storage and provide transportaon
within the cell (excreon, secreon).
• Vesicle: Plays a similar role to vacuoles, but are smaller.
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