All animals, including you and I, are made of the same basic building block called the animal cell. Animal cells are generally smaller than plant cells and lack a cell wall and chloroplasts;
these are organelles pertinent to plant cells.
In the title “Animal Cell Parts and Functions”, the word “Part” pertains to “Organelles”; these are specialized parts inside a living cell.
Organelles in an animal cell are suspended in a fluid called the cytoplasm. A cell membrane encloses the cytoplasm and all contents of the animal cell.
Animal Cell Parts and Functions | Summary Table
Organelle | Summary of Function |
Cell membrane |
|
Cytoplasm & Cytoskeleton |
|
Nucleus |
|
Ribosomes |
|
Endoplasmic
Reticulum (ER) |
Summary of the function of the Smooth ER:
Summary of the function of the Rough ER:
|
Golgi apparatus |
|
Mitochondria |
|
Lysosomes & Peroxisomes |
|
Vacuoles |
|
Cilia &Flagellum |
|
Animal Cell Parts and Functions | Details
The Cell Membrane
Think of the cell membrane like the border control of the cell, controlling what comes in and what goes out.
The cell membrane also called the plasma membrane encloses the animal cell and its contents. It separates the inside of the cell from the outside. It is a selectively permeable membrane that monitors what enters and exits the cell.
The cell membrane is mostly made up of special proteins (membrane proteins) and lipids (phospholipid).
The phospholipids are arranged is a double layer – the Phospholipid Bilayer. The top and bottom of this double layer arrangement are hydrophilic (water-loving) while the inside of the double
layer arrangement is hydrophobic (water-hating).

Most cell membranes have special membrane proteins embedded in the phospholipid bilayer. These proteins help in the transportation of molecules across the cell membrane. The proteins have other
functions such as giving a shape to the cell as well as adhesion to neighboring cells to form tissues.
The Cytoplasm and the Cytoskeleton
The animal cell is filled with a solution of water and nutrients to form a fluid called the Cytoplasm. Organelles of the animal cell are suspended in the cytoplasm. The cytoplasm contains the cytoskeleton; a network of protein filaments that reinforce the cell and hold all structures together.
There are three main types of filaments namely; Microfilaments, Intermediate filaments and Microtubules.
Microfilaments and intermediate filaments are thinner than microtubules. They stretch over the whole cytoplasm helping to maintain cellular shape. Microtubules are straight hollow filaments that act like support beams. They help guide the movement of organelles as well as chromosomes.
The main microtubule organizing center is called the Centrosome. It is located close to the nucleus. Not only does it participate in the network of microtubules, it is involved in the cell
cycle.
The Nucleus
The nucleus is the command center of a cell. This is where most of the cell’s DNA is stored. It is enclosed in a double membrane. The double membrane has pores which allow the movement of molecules between the nucleus (Nucleoplasm) and the cytoplasm.
The Nucleolus is located inside the nucleus. The main function of the nucleolus is to make ribosomal RNA (rRNA). rRNA then combines with special proteins to form the basic units of ribosomes. Once these units are formed the nucleolus releases them out of the nuclear envelope where they will be fully assembled into ribosomes. The nucleus sends messages to the ribosomes through messenger RNA, (mRNA). mRNA carry out orders from the nucleus to the rest of the cell.
Long strands of DNA in the nucleus combine with special protein to form long fibers called Chromatin. Chromatin is then used to make Chromosomes.
The number of chromosomes present in a cell depends on the species of animal. The human sperm and egg cell both have 23 chromosomes. The number of chromosomes found in all of the other body cells
is 46.
Here is a quick guided tour of the animal cell.
Ribosomes
Ribosomes are tiny structures found floating around in the cytoplasm or attached to the ER. Ribosomes maybe small but are essential for the proper functioning of a cell. They are responsible for
protein synthesis.
The Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
The ER is like a factory for the production of proteins and lipids. It also forms a network of tubes that carry substances around the cell. There are two types of ER; the rough ER and the smooth ER. They have slightly different structure and function.
The rough ER is called “rough” because it is studded ribosomes while the smooth ER is called “smooth” because it lacks ribosomes.
The Smooth ER contains enzymes that are involved in the creation of lipids. Other enzymes in the smooth ER help in the detoxification of drugs and alcohol.
Ribosomes attached to the Rough ER are responsible for protein synthesis. These ribosomes assemble amino acids into polypeptides. When synthesis is complete the ER packages the polypeptides in special vesicles and sends them to the Golgi apparatus where they will be packaged and “shipped”.

The Golgi Apparatus
The Golgi apparatus is the cell’s shipping department. It processes and packages proteins and sends them out to where they are needed.
The Golgi apparatus is made up of stacks of membranous layers that are referred to as Golgi bodies. Golgi bodies create hormones from proteins. They can also combine proteins with carbohydrate to make other molecules such as snot (nasal mucus).
The golgi apparatus packages its products into sacs called vessicles. These sacs have membranes made of phospholipid just like the cell membrane. These vessicles are then shipped to other parts of the cell or out of the cell.

Mitochondria
The mitochondrion (singular) is the power house of the cell. It is responsible for converting the food that you eat into energy that your body can use. The energy that our body uses is called Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). ATP is a super energized molecule that gives you the energy you need to function properly.
Mitochondria generate ATP from carbohydrates and fat and other fuels. They also assist in cell growth, cell cycle and cellular death.
A mitochondrion is a smooth oblong organelles with an outer smooth membrane and an inner membrane. The inner membrane has numerous infoldings called Cristae.
Some cells such as muscle cells need to power and hence have a lot more mitochondria than other cells.

Lysosome & Peroxisome
Lysosomes are digestive sacs that contain enzymes to break down cellular waste or debris from outside the cell into new building material.
Lysosomes break down big macro molecules into smaller molecules which can be used to nourish the cell. They also break down damaged organelles and destroy foreign invaders such as bacteria.
Peroxisomes are similar to Lysosomes in structure. They break down molecules by oxidative reaction and produces hydrogen peroxide – harmful compound. Peroxisomes break down the hydrogen peroxide
to produce water. Or they may use the hydrogen peroxide to break down other molecules. Peroxisomes are also involved in the synthesis of lipid and bile acid (liver cells).
Vacuole
Vacuoles are storage sacs filled with fluid. They store food, water and waste products. The vacuoles in animal cells are generally smaller than that in plant cells. Animal cells can have multiple
small vacuoles while plant cells usually have a single large vacuole.
Cilia and Flagellum
Some animal cells have cilia or a flagellum. Cilia (singular is cilium) are hairlike processes that extend from the cell’s surface. Flagellum is a wipe-like tail that protrudes from the cell. Both cilia and flagella are made of small protein fibers known as microtubules. Some cells have neither cilia nor a flagellum. A sperm cell has a flagellum. It uses its flagellum to propel itself through the female reproductive tract. Lung cells have cilia. They use cilia to push mucus up and out of the lungs.
Here is a quick guided tour of the animal and plant cell.
Do you have anything to share about ‘Animal Cell Parts and Functions’? Tell us in the comment section below.
juice wrld (Thursday, 09 September 2021 19:48)
thank you was very helpfull -_-
Lz Me (Monday, 15 March 2021 15:44)
Nice work keep up the good work
Michael Maniaci (Tuesday, 02 March 2021 22:33)
Thanks, I needed this for school. Very helpful
Elijah Luxbacher (Friday, 08 January 2021 01:24)
Helped alot thanks
elozana (Tuesday, 01 December 2020 06:43)
best for ever thanks a lot
pandu (Sunday, 11 October 2020 13:48)
thanks
sabir (Wednesday, 16 September 2020 13:11)
Epic
Hazzle (Tuesday, 21 April 2020 21:48)
This site is just awesome, it gave me the exact thing what I needed.
Science (Wednesday, 25 March 2020 10:37)
Thank u a lot now my project on cells is perfect
Anando (Wednesday, 29 January 2020 01:20)
Thanks, I really needed this for Science class.
Big Boy (Friday, 06 December 2019 22:49)
Very good and informative.
matilda (Friday, 06 December 2019 22:45)
very informative
`12e342 (Wednesday, 23 October 2019 21:59)
graet site
yusuf isah yusuf (Wednesday, 21 August 2019 23:44)
thank you so much sir.
Kaylee Rider (Sunday, 14 July 2019 01:32)
Thanks for the info!!! Y'all are really awesome!!! I've used this article more than once!!! It is very accurate!!! It is also very useful!!! Good job you guys!!! Enjoy!!!
Emmanuel (Sunday, 26 May 2019 23:01)
What a wonderful points keep the ball moving
Woop woop (Wednesday, 10 April 2019 01:48)
Thank you so much!!
Saviour Suah (Wednesday, 13 March 2019 18:49)
Thanks you are a great help to me
*yeboah k.john (Monday, 04 March 2019 10:58)
What a marvellous work done.keep it up
kherly (Tuesday, 12 February 2019 05:46)
thank you so much:)
Lol (Tuesday, 29 January 2019 07:31)
Good
freddy (Sunday, 27 January 2019 08:12)
thank you very much
Abu Hurerah (Tuesday, 04 December 2018 14:56)
Very Good
Anonymous (Monday, 26 November 2018 16:24)
Last day preparation....
DAVID GEORGE (Friday, 23 November 2018 14:13)
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! # VERY HELPUL#............
ocean eyes (Sunday, 21 October 2018 07:21)
loved this i feel very intelligent now and not a dumb blonde lol hate stereotypes
Just a Random Kid (Wednesday, 17 October 2018 01:36)
Thank You So Much!!! Got a Science Test Tomorrow about Microbes/Plants/and Cells.
the real donald trump (Tuesday, 09 October 2018 17:09)
author
Narifa Hira (Monday, 08 October 2018 13:17)
The soo much because my teacher is a serious man mad when it comes to homework �
But what about nucleolus ???
jj (Tuesday, 25 September 2018 00:48)
brilliant
ella (Sunday, 23 September 2018 11:43)
brilliant website
sam (Monday, 17 September 2018 19:39)
rlly insightful for ma homework. thanks
DDestroyer (Monday, 17 September 2018 11:45)
very bati no thanks :)
DSlayer (Monday, 17 September 2018 11:26)
very nc and thanks
Haribe Allsack (Sunday, 16 September 2018 17:46)
Thank you!
ilyas (Sunday, 29 July 2018 21:12)
thanks a lot and it is very helpful. May almighty God help you.
bebe lab (Sunday, 29 July 2018 11:12)
very impressing
Adamu Makoda (Thursday, 05 July 2018 18:28)
very good document...
David Allen Hood (Tuesday, 26 June 2018 22:07)
No way this came about by chance
nigam yadav (Friday, 18 May 2018 09:51)
nice picture of animal cells
miria eunice (Monday, 16 April 2018 15:56)
am thank full in fact
ronan (Thursday, 05 April 2018 02:52)
very helpful Thank you
bruh (Thursday, 29 March 2018 06:24)
thanks
dev (Wednesday, 28 March 2018 16:32)
Thanks! very useful website for a homeschool kid
Lucy N.Dossen (Friday, 23 March 2018 00:36)
Thanks for giving me reliable source on my assignment,i appreciate it.
shivu (Thursday, 08 March 2018 19:15)
Interesting ☺
Nyeche chimankpa uchendu (Saturday, 03 March 2018 21:17)
Oh tank u so much..my exams are starting next week..cellular physiology
dayz (Friday, 16 February 2018 20:46)
Thanks a lot really helpful
asda (Tuesday, 13 February 2018 20:40)
you helped me so much thanks
puseletso (Tuesday, 06 February 2018 19:42)
thx,it realy is helpfull