Mike the Mitochondria
Life in Cellville™
Science for Curious Kids

Meet the Cellville Crew

Learn the Parts of an Animal Cell & Meet the Organelles

Cells are the building blocks of all living things. Inside each cell is a team of organelles—tiny “organs” that each have a special job. Just like your heart pumps blood and your lungs bring in oxygen, organelles work together to keep the cell healthy, powered up, and running smoothly.

Explore the Cellville Characters

Mindy Membrane

Mindy Membrane

Mindy wraps around the entire cell like a stretchy bubble! She decides who gets in and who has to stay out.

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Sammy Cytoplasm

Sammy Cytoplasm

Sammy is the jelly-like fluid that fills the whole cell! Everything floats in Sammy, and he helps move things from place to place.

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Nora Nucleus

Nora Nucleus

Nora is the command center of Cellville! She protects Cellville's DNA and sends out genetic instructions that help the cell make the proteins it needs.

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Ricky & Rudy Ribosomes

Ricky & Rudy Ribosomes

This dynamic duo reads instructions from Nora and builds proteins! They're tiny but mighty builders found all over the cell.

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Ernie Rough ER

Ernie Rough ER

Ernie is covered with ribosomes (that's why he's 'rough'!). He works with them to help make, fold, and prepare proteins for their next destination.

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Ellie Smooth ER

Ellie Smooth ER

Ellie doesn't have ribosomes on her surface (that's why she's 'smooth'!). She specializes in making lipids and helping with other special jobs.

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Gigi Golgi

Gigi Golgi

Gigi is like the cell's post office! She takes proteins from Ernie, packages them up nicely, and ships them to exactly where they need to go.

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Mike the Mighty Mitochondrion

Mike the Mighty Mitochondrion

Mike is the energy factory! He helps turn energy from food into ATP, the usable energy that powers much of the cell's work.

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Perry Peroxisome

Perry Peroxisome

Perry is Cellville's hazmat expert! He breaks down harmful substances and helps process fats, using special enzymes that keep the whole cell safe.

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Lenny Lysosome

Lenny Lysosome

Lenny is the recycling center! He breaks down old, worn-out parts and anything that shouldn't be in the cell.

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Vicky Vacuole

Vicky Vacuole

Vicky is the cell's storage expert! She keeps materials safely contained inside the cell.

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