Chemistry Mnemonics
Mnemonics for organelle function in a cell?
I’m a chemistry major, but I have a hard time remember certain things about cells. Basic things like the functions of the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum.
Although I’m a chemist I should now this stuff, yet I get the functions of the Golgi apparatus and ER confused.
Any help?
There’s a well known acronym to remember cell organelles:
Nigel Can Cook Mouthwatering Fries Like Chef Christof Candou!
Nucleus, Cell Membrane, Cytoplasm, Mitochondria, Flagella, Lysosome, Cilia, Chloroplast & Centriole.
Cell membrane – (not to be confused with the cell wall)… i visualise it as a sieve, where diffusion occurs (certain substances can move in and out of the cell). Remember in a plant cell, with a cell wall that the membrane is INSIDE the cell wall.
Cytoplasm – the stuff in the middle! That’s about the best way to remember it!
Nucleus – the “brain” of the cell – the big black blob in the middle – it sort of sounds important.. that’s how i remembered it!
Mitochondria – Are Mighty – they deal with important things like energy!! They make lots of ATP!
Lysosome – Always forgotten 
, but my favourite because i see them as PACMEN! They secrete digestive enzymes.. and swallow up dead cells, just like a pacman, *gulp!*
Centriole – has a hole(!) (ok sad i know).. they do have a hole in the middle of their formation – and these form spindle fibres in mitosis and meiosis.
Chloroplast – absorb light fast(!) in a plant, plant, plant!! Found in plant cells and used in photosynthesis – they absorb light and cause promotion of electrons!
Cilia – little hair-like structure found in eukaryotic cells. They’re like cellular antennae – think of a cell, and then think of it with lots of cilia like lots of antennae – the cell sounds far more interesting now!
Flagella – the beast! I see flagella as big tails projecting from the cell like a motor… imagine the cell has antennae and now it has a tail too which aids with locomotion! A sperm cell has a flagellum (and i’m confident you won’t forget what a sperm cell looks like!!). Remember that flagella can be found in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
I hope this is somewhat useful… really the key is practice, and visualising cells… have a look at pictures, and maybe videos on youtube to give you a better idea of what these cell organelles look like or function! good luck!
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