Cell Organelles: Structure and Function

Study Notes

What are Cell Organelles?

Specialized structures within a cell that perform specific functions
Found in eukaryotic cells (plants, animals, fungi, and protists)
Each organelle has a unique composition and function

Types of Cell Organelles:

Nucleus
- Control center of the cell
- Contains genetic material (DNA)
- Regulates cell growth, division, and function
Mitochondria
- Generates energy for the cell through cellular respiration
- Produces ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
- Found in both plant and animal cells
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
- Network of membranous tubules and cisternae
- Involved in protein synthesis, folding, and transport
- Two types: Rough ER (with ribosomes) and Smooth ER (without ribosomes)
Ribosomes
- Small organelles found throughout the cytoplasm
- Site of protein synthesis
- Found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
Lysosomes
- Membrane-bound sacs containing digestive enzymes
- Break down and recycle cellular waste and foreign substances
- Found in animal cells
Golgi Apparatus
- Complex of flattened sacs and tubules
- Involved in protein modification, sorting, and packaging
- Plays a key role in cellular secretion
Cytoskeleton
- Network of filaments that provide structural support and shape to the cell
- Composed of microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments
Plastids
- Found in plant cells and some protists
- Involved in photosynthesis, pigment synthesis, and storage of nutrients
- Types: chloroplasts, chromoplasts, and amyloplasts
Vacuoles
- Membrane-bound sacs that store water, salts, and other substances
- Help maintain cellular turgor pressure and pH balance
- Found in plant and fungal cells
Centrioles
- Small, cylindrical organelles involved in the formation of cilia and flagella
- Also play a role in the separation of chromosomes during cell division
- Found in animal cells

Cell Organelles Overview

Specialized structures within eukaryotic cells (plants, animals, fungi, and protists) that perform specific functions
Each organelle has a unique composition and function

Nucleus

Control center of the cell
Contains genetic material (DNA)
Regulates cell growth, division, and function

Mitochondria

Generates energy for the cell through cellular respiration
Produces ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
Found in both plant and animal cells

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Network of membranous tubules and cisternae
Involved in protein synthesis, folding, and transport
Two types: Rough ER (with ribosomes) and Smooth ER (without ribosomes)

Ribosomes

Small organelles found throughout the cytoplasm
Site of protein synthesis
Found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

Lysosomes

Membrane-bound sacs containing digestive enzymes
Break down and recycle cellular waste and foreign substances
Found in animal cells

Golgi Apparatus

Complex of flattened sacs and tubules
Involved in protein modification, sorting, and packaging
Plays a key role in cellular secretion

Cytoskeleton

Network of filaments that provide structural support and shape to the cell
Composed of microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments

Plastids

Found in plant cells and some protists
Involved in photosynthesis, pigment synthesis, and storage of nutrients
Types: chloroplasts, chromoplasts, and amyloplasts

Vacuoles

Membrane-bound sacs that store water, salts, and other substances
Help maintain cellular turgor pressure and pH balance
Found in plant and fungal cells

Centrioles

Small, cylindrical organelles involved in the formation of cilia and flagella
Also play a role in the separation of chromosomes during cell division
Found in animal cells

Description

Learn about the different types of organelles found in eukaryotic cells, their unique compositions, and functions. From nucleus to mitochondria, discover how these specialized structures work together to keep the cell alive.