Video Transcript
The diagram provided shows the
basic outline of an animal cell. Which component is represented by
W? Which organelle is represented by
Z?
Before we attempt to answer the
question, we’ll go ahead and review the things that we know about animal cells. An animal cell is a type of
eukaryotic cell. This means that this cell possesses
a nucleus in which the DNA is stored. Also, since we know that this is an
animal cell and not a plant cell, we know that this cell will not have a cell wall,
will not possess a central vacuole, and will not contain any chloroplast to carry
out photosynthesis. So what is in the animal cell that
we see pictured here?
Well, first, this cell, like all
living cells, possesses a cell membrane. The cell membrane defines the
boundary of the cell and also controls what enters and leaves. The animal cell possesses
cytoplasm, the jellylike substance that fills the cell and helps to give it its
shape. In this cell, we also see several
mitochondria. These organelles are responsible
for carrying out cellular respiration, a process which stores cellular energy in the
form of ATP. Mitochondria are bean shaped and
possess a smooth outer and folded inner membrane.
Finally, we see the nucleus, which
we mentioned just a little bit earlier. The nucleus is surrounded by a
double membrane that has openings called nuclear pores. The nucleus is responsible for
storing and protecting the genetic material, also called DNA. Now, we’re ready to answer our
question. Which component is represented by
W? W represents cytoplasm. Which organelle is represented by
Z? Z represents the cell membrane.
