Plasma membrane (cell membrane)A lipid bilayer with proteins that controls what enters and leaves the cell. In an animal cell it is the outermost layer.
CytoplasmEverything between the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope: the watery cytosol and the organelles in it.
NucleusHolds the cell's DNA and directs its work.
RibosomesBuild proteins; free ones make proteins used inside the cell.
Golgi apparatusSorts, packs and ships proteins and lipids in vesicles.
MitochondrionReleases energy from food as ATP; the folds are the cristae.
Only in animal cells 2
LysosomeEnzymes inside break down worn-out parts and food particles.
Centrosome (centrioles)Organizes the cell's microtubules; its two centrioles sit at right angles.
Boundary and support 1
CytoskeletonProtein fibres that give the cell its shape and move things within it.
Nucleus 4
Nuclear envelopeTwo membranes around the nucleus, broken by pores.
Nuclear poreOpenings that let RNA and proteins pass in and out of the nucleus.
NucleolusMakes the parts of ribosomes.
ChromatinDNA wound with proteins; it coils into chromosomes before division.
Making and shipping proteins 3
Rough endoplasmic reticulum (rough ER)Membranes lined with ribosomes; proteins made there are folded and sent on.
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (smooth ER)Makes lipids and breaks down some toxins; it carries no ribosomes.
VesicleA small membrane sac carrying material inside the cell or to its edge.
Energy, storage and cleanup 1
PeroxisomeBreaks down fatty acids and turns hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.
How this list was compiled: Read 2026-09-26. OpenStax Biology 2e, 4.3 Eukaryotic Cells, https://openstax.org/books/biology-2e/pages/4-3-eukaryotic-cells : every eukaryotic cell has a plasma membrane, cytoplasm, a nucleus, ribosomes, mitochondria and peroxisomes; the plasma membrane is a phospholipid bilayer with proteins; the cytoplasm is the region between the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope; animal cells each have a centrosome and lysosomes, whereas most plant cells do not; the centrosome is a microtubule-organizing center near the nucleus with a pair of centrioles lying perpendicular to each other; lysosome enzymes break down proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids and worn-out organelles; peroxisomes are small round organelles with single membranes that break down hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water. 4.4 The Endomembrane System and Proteins, https://openstax.org/books/biology-2e/pages/4-4-the-endomembrane-system-and-proteins (rough and smooth ER, Golgi apparatus, vesicles) and 4.5 The Cytoskeleton, https://openstax.org/books/biology-2e/pages/4-5-the-cytoskeleton (microfilaments, intermediate filaments, microtubules), as checked for the site's plant cell. Licence: own work
The drawing: Drawn for this site, 2026-09-26, by script from the site's own plant cell drawing (own work) plus new parts. Nothing traced or copied. Licence: own work
How it works
These are the parts of an animal cell, drawn as one cell cut open and seen face on. Seventeen parts carry a numbered ring. The simple set keeps the 6 core parts, and the Only in animal cells group asks the two that a plant cell lacks.
Read the full guide
What makes it an animal cell
There is no cell wall: the plasma membrane is the outside edge, so the cell is rounded rather than boxy. There are no chloroplasts and no large central vacuole. Instead there are lysosomes, small sacs of enzymes that break down worn-out parts, and a centrosome, where two centrioles lie at right angles beside the nucleus.
Following a protein
Ribosomes on the rough endoplasmic reticulum build a protein, which passes into the Golgi apparatus to be sorted and packed. Vesicles then carry it on, some to the plasma membrane. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum, with no ribosomes, makes lipids instead.
Stacked curved sacs are the Golgi apparatus; folds hugging the nucleus and studded with dots are rough ER.
A folded inner lining means mitochondrion. Four are drawn, and any one of them counts.
Questions and answers
What parts does an animal cell have that a plant cell does not?
A centrosome with its pair of centrioles, and lysosomes. Most plant cells have neither. A plant cell adds a cell wall, chloroplasts and a large central vacuole, which an animal cell lacks.
What is the outer layer of an animal cell?
The plasma membrane, also called the cell membrane. With no wall outside it, it is the cell's boundary and controls what enters and leaves.
What does the nucleolus do?
It sits inside the nucleus and makes the parts of ribosomes, which then leave through the nuclear pores to build proteins in the cytoplasm.
Is there a blank animal cell diagram to print?
Yes. Print blank gives this drawing with 17 numbered rings and empty lines, a cell labeling worksheet to fill in with the screen off. Print labelled is the answer key.