Cell Project

To learn more about cell structure, my class did a project! I chose to study neutrophil cells. These white blood cells are one of the body's main defenses against bacteria. They have many lysosomes inside of them to kill off bacteria that enters the body. A classmate and I made this comic showing a neutrophil cell killing the bacteria that had entered a olfactory cell.

My favorite presentation was Jenna and Danielle's. Their PowerPoint was very informative and got details across to the audience effectively and they managed to keep everyone's attention throughout the presentation. From other people in the class, I learned that the gastric chief feels are found in the gastric gland and produce pepsin, a digestive enzyme that breaks food particles into small peptide chains so that the body can absorb the amino acids. I also leaned that kupffer cells, found in liver tissue help to destroy and kill bacteria in the liver. One more fact I leaned was that skin cells remove toxins from the body and help regulate temperature. 

In my own project, I found that some of our struggles were to come up with similarities between our two cells, the neutrophil and the olfactory cells. One of the main similarities was that neither of our cells contain a smooth endoplasmic reticulum. I liked getting feedback through 'critical friends' because they offered us insight and constructive criticism that we would not have seen on our own 

The Organelles

This unit was all about cell structure! We learned what each organelle does inside of the cell to help the cell carry out it's function. Some of the main organelles include the plasma membrane, the nucleus, the nucleolus, mitochondria, the rough & smooth endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, vacuoles, lysosomes, and the cytoskeleton
The plasma membrane is a double-layered structure that holds the shape of the cell as well as controls what goes in and out of the cell. The nucleus is a dark granule in the center of the cell that stores genetic information and controls cell activities through protein synthesis. It also controls cell division. Inside the nucleus is the nucleolus. The nucleolus has no membrane and it is made up of rRNA (ribosomal RNA). It's function is to make ribosomes. The mitochondria is the furnace of the cell, because it retains heat. It performs cellular respiration to convert the energy in food to Adenosine Thiphosphate. The rough ER transports, modifies, and packages proteins to be sent off to the Golgi body. The smooth ER transports hormones, makes lipids and steroids, and detoxifies waste.
Ribosomes are where the proteins are made through protein synthesis.
The Golgi body is a flattened piece of the plasma membrane. It receives, modifies, and temporarily stores proteins and fats from the rough and smooth ER.
Vacuoles are storage sacs that transport substances around the cell that need to be kept desperate from the cytoplasm. They also store food, water, and waste.

Lysosomes are double-membraned vacuoles, also called a 'suicide sac'. Their job is to digest the contents of food vacuoles, destroy old cell parts, and destroy bacteria. Finally, the cytoskeleton is whag gives the cell it's shape and form. It also anchors and supports the organelles.