1. Plasma Membrane:
* A phospholipid bilayer that surrounds the cell, regulating what enters and exits.
2. Cytoplasm:
* The gel-like substance within the cell that houses the organelles and provides a medium for chemical reactions.
3. Nucleus:
* The control center of the cell, containing the genetic material (DNA) in the form of chromosomes.
* Surrounded by a double membrane called the nuclear envelope, with pores allowing communication with the cytoplasm.
4. Organelles:
* Specialized structures within the cytoplasm that perform specific functions:
* Ribosomes: Responsible for protein synthesis.
* Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): Network of membranes involved in protein and lipid synthesis, as well as detoxification.
* Rough ER: Studded with ribosomes.
* Smooth ER: Lacks ribosomes.
* Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, packages, and sorts proteins and lipids.
* Mitochondria: Powerhouses of the cell, responsible for cellular respiration and ATP production.
* Lysosomes: Contain digestive enzymes to break down waste and cellular debris.
* Vacuoles: Storage compartments for water, nutrients, and waste.
* Chloroplasts (in plants): Site of photosynthesis.
5. Cytoskeleton:
* A network of protein filaments that provides structure and support to the cell, as well as enabling movement and transport within the cytoplasm.
Key Differences from Prokaryotes:
* Eukaryotic cells are larger and more complex than prokaryotic cells.
* They possess a membrane-bound nucleus that houses their DNA.
* They have a variety of specialized organelles, absent in prokaryotes.
Overall: Eukaryotic cells are highly organized and compartmentalized, allowing for efficient and specialized functions, making them the building blocks of multicellular organisms.
