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  The Parts of Cells
  A cell is an amazing package made of a cell membrane, a nucleus, and many other
structures. Most of the things your body does are really done inside cells. For
example, you grow when your cells grow larger and divide. Your arm moves because
small fibers are moving inside muscle cells.
  All cells have some of the same parts, and many parts have similar jobs. Cells have
the same needs as your whole body has. For example, your body needs an outside
covering of skin, a control system of nerves, a support system of bones, and places
to store food and wastes in the digestive system. Some cell parts can be compared
to these larger structures in your body. Only a few of the parts of an animal cell are
pictured here.
  The cell membrane surrounds a cell, holding the parts of the cell together. It allows
needed materials, such as sugar, water, and oxygen, to enter the cell. It allows certain
other materials, such as carbon dioxide and other waste products, to exit.
  The nucleus is the part of the cell that contains chromosomes. Chromosomes are
made of materials including a chemical called DNA (
deoxyribonucleic acid). DNA is
a chemical shaped like a twisted ladder. Chromosomes carry the instructions for the
cell to do its jobs. By telling every cell how to do its jobs, chromosomes control how
the whole body grows and changes.
  Every chromosome has small sections of DNA called genes. Genes are made of DNA.
Each gene carries a single unit of information. Almost every cell in your body has the
same set of thousands of genes. Heredity is the process of passing these genes
from one generation to the next.
   
  Plant Cells
  Plant cells have all the parts seen
in the animal cell. Plant cells also
have a few parts not found in
animal cells.
  A tough cell wall surrounds the
cell membrane. The cell wall is stiff,
unlike the thin cell membrane. Cell
walls give plant cells extra support
and protection.
Chloroplasts use the
energy in sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide
into oxygen and sugar. Plant cells use oxygen
and sugar for respiration.
Chloroplasts give plants their green color.
  This plant cell is magnified
about 6,000 times.