Inside of the cell ...
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So much stuff is going on!
You see strange structures floating around the cell, and venture forth to explore them. You see an intricate web that seems to be connecting everything.
You see strange structures floating around the cell, and venture forth to explore them. You see an intricate web that seems to be connecting everything.
The CytoskeletonThey cytoskeleton connects everything intricately and gives the entire cell structural support. They are made up of micro-tubules, hollow cylinders about 23 nano meters wide. Sometimes it transports organelles around the cell. It plays a key role in mitosis by segregating chromosomes between daughter cells during cellular division. In plants, it help with the creation of the cell wall. In animals, it creates the shape of the membrane by pushing up on it in all directions
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Chloroplasts
We break down everything into glucose, which is broken down further into ATP. Through photosynthesis, plants can create their own glucose using the chlorophyll located inside of the chloroplast. This is what gives plants their green color. Chloroplasts capture energy from sunlight, as well as separating the unwanted oxygen from water. They float around the cell, often splitting into two depending on the amount and intensity of light that the cell is getting hit with. Similar to mitochondria, recent research has shown that they are descendants of bacteria that had a symbiotic relationship with cells. Eventually, the cell engulfed them and it became a part of it. Also similar to mitochondria, they have their own DNA which suggests this hypothesis further. The diagram below demonstrates how this is likely true.
MitochondriaThe main function of mitochondria is to produce the cell's energy. In plants, it breaks down the glucose from the chloroplasts into ATP. In animals, it breaks down ingested glucose into ATP. This is known as cellular respiration. They are thought to be descendants from bacteria that had a symbiotic relationship with cells that was eventually engulfed by the cell, becoming a part of it. They have their own DNA, which is one of the reasons why scientists think this is true.
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Large Central VacuoleThe large central vacuole is a huge sac that holds most of the cell's water. It is enclosed by a membrane called the tonoplast. It is the largest organelle.
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CytoplasmA gel like substance that fills the entire cell, as well as inside some of the organelles. Everything floats around in it, and it is 70-90% water, usually colorless.
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