Best Free Animal Cell Worksheets: With Answers & Easy Print!

Trying to help your student master the foundation of biology and desperately need an animal cell worksheet?

Whether you need some help with supplementing your science program or just looking for a fun science worksheet, you are in the right place!

These animal cell worksheets will help you teach, review, and quiz your students on everything from cytoplasm to Golgi bodies!

Animal cells may be small, but they are jam-packed with incredible structures and processes that keep living beings ticking.

It’s a miniature world waiting to be discovered, and you’re about to unlock its mysteries.

So, grab your pens, pencils, and curiosity, because we’re diving deep into the amazing realm of animal cells. 

Included in the packet, you will find 4 animal cell worksheets. The first is a full color poster with all parts of a cell labeled. The next three printables are black and white with varying degrees of difficulty. 

And of course, an easy print answer key is waiting for you!

****The free instant download animal cell worksheets are at the bottom of this post if you prefer to scroll now. Continue to read to find out how to best use this resource and for more lesson plan ideas to bring biology to life for your student!

Check Out Your Printable Animal Cell Worksheet Packet!

#1: Full-Color Animal Cell Poster/Answer Key

This first printable is a full-color poster that is perfect for introducing the animal cell, posting on your bulletin board, or whatever you like!

Each of the major organelles is identified and there is a description below. 

Here is what you will find on the animal cell diagram:

• Nucleus: Contains the organism’s DNA and controls the production of ribosomes and proteins.
• Golgi apparatus: The flattened sacs aid in sorting proteins produced in the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
• Cytoplasm: The gel-like substance inside a cell that maintains its shape is called the cytoplasm.
• Mitochondria: Produces ATP from broken food molecules and store it until needed. They are commonly referred to as the “powerhouse of the cell.”
• Lysosome: The vesicle contains digestive enzymes that break down unnecessary components of the cell and has the ability to kill bacteria that attacks the body.
• Vacuoles: Membrane sacs within cells serve as storage units for various materials.
• Cell Membrane: Also referred to as the plasma membrane, it is a thin outer covering that separates the contents of a cell from other cells and regulates the passage of materials in and out of the cell.
• Endoplasmic Reticulum: It refers to a network of folded membranes within a cell that transport materials.
• Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum: It creates protein and has attached ribosomes.
• Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum: Lacks ribosomes and aids in modifying proteins synthesized by the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

#2: Animal Cell Worksheet With Word Bank And Organelle Description Hints

This second printable is a beginner worksheet (possibly for younger students), and it has a description of the animal cell organelles that will help prompt the student.

At the bottom of the page, you will find a word bank to help with spelling and recall. 

If you’re concerned your child will find subcellular structure dry and boring, consider mixing it up!

My kids have learned so much from Youtube videos over the years. Definitely take advantage of all the high-quality, free science videos out there!

I love this video – Eukaryopolis: City of Animal Cells. It does a great job of describing animal cells as cities, and it uses a lot of humor. The cell membrane is the border police, etc.

Making an animal cell cake is also a hugely effective way to get kids to remember, appreciate, and love animal cells!

My kids made one a couple of years ago and it was so much fun. Hop on over to this fun website for an easy explanation of how to make an animal cell cake, pick up your supplies at the dollar store, and enjoy some hands-on science!

#3: Animal Cell Worksheet With Word Bank (No Organelle Description Hints)

This next animal cell organelle worksheet is perfect for older students who want a challenge.

The organelle descriptions have been removed, but there is still a word bank available. 

I find kids learn so much through discussion, and not so much through being “talked at.”

Use the following questions as a great way to dig deeper into this biology lesson:

Animal Cell Discussion Questions For Your Students

• Does an animal cell have a cell membrane or cell wall? Why?

Cell membrane. Plant cells have cell walls to give them structure. It serves as a sort of skeleton to keep them from falling over. An animal cell does not need a cell well because they either have endo or exoskeletons to give them structure.

• Are all living things made up of cells?

Yes! Of course, not all are made of animal cells, but all living things are made up of cells.

• What is the difference between eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cells? Which one does the animal cell fall under?

There are many different types of cells, but one of the biggest differences is whether it has a nucleus. Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, and prokaryotic cells do not. That means that animal cells are a type of eukaryotic cell. 

• What is the easiest part of the cell for you to remember? Which is the hardest? Why?

Just answering this question might help some kids to remember better! It will also give you insight into what’s clicking and what’s not.

• What are some tricks we can use to remember the jobs of the parts of the animal cell?

I have always loved the little memory tricks to help me to remember the cellular organelles’ jobs. 

For example, the mitochondria are “mighty” because they are the powerhouse of the cell. 

Lysosome sounds a lot like “Lysol” to me, and that helps to remember that the lysosome is responsible for cleaning the cell.

The vacuole makes me think of a vacuum with a storage bag.

What memory tricks can your kids come up with?

#4: Easy Print Animal Cell Answer Key

This is a printer friendly version answer key.

I always recommend letting kids correct their own work with an answer key. It helps them take responsibility for their own learning. 

As a reverse activity, you could give the student the answer key, and then have them tell you what each cell part does.

How To Best Use These Animal Cell Worksheets

1. Break out sharpened coloring pencils for some animal cell coloring! Have your students start coloring the parts of the cell as you go over the unique characteristics of each organelle.

2. Learn cell vocabulary by cutting out the word bank and have your student practice putting the names in the proper place – like a matching game! Let them grade themselves and make corrections where needed with the answer key.

3. Use the worksheet with the descriptions removed for an extra challenge, quiz, or to check for mastery.

4. Make this an interactive worksheet by describing an organelle’s job and have the student locate it on the worksheet (the one without descriptions) and write in the name from the word bank. 

5. Play Jeopardy with your students! Say the name of an organelle and have your student respond with a question. For example, you say, “Nucleus” and your student says, “Which organelle is called the brain of the cell?”

6. If you want to get crazy, remove the word bank from the bottom of the worksheet and see how your kids do!

Click Here To Download Your Free Animal Cells Worksheets!

Click the above text link/image link for an instant download and printable version of the plant worksheets. No email address or other personal information is needed.

Terms of Use: These printables are for homeschool, co-op, personal, and classroom use only. The Simple Homeschooler printables are never for commercial use. 

And there you have it, folks! We’ve delved into the fascinating world of life science and cell biology with this worksheet packet.

We’ve learned about all the tiny, incredible components that make up these microscopic powerhouses. From the nucleus calling the shots to the mitochondria energizing the cell like a tiny battery, it’s like a bustling city inside every animal cell.

I hope you had as much fun learning about these tiny building blocks of life as you teach your children.

Remember, even though they’re small, animal cells are essential to all the creatures on our planet, including us!

So the next time you marvel at your dog’s playful antics, just remember – it’s all thanks to the remarkable animal cells at work. Keep on exploring the wonders of science, and don’t forget to stay curious!

Of course, there are different cell types. 

If your lesson plans include learning parts of a plant cell next, I’ve got you covered!

Be sure to check out the below free plant cell worksheets.

It includes diagrams of plant cells – full color and black and white – in the same format as the animal cell worksheets above.

Learn about the process of photosynthesis, chloroplasts, cell walls, light energy, and more!

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