Cell Organelles: Structure and Function

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:

1. Nucleus
   • Control center of the cell
   • Contains genetic material (DNA)
   • Regulates cell growth, division, and function
2. Mitochondria
   • Generates energy for the cell through cellular respiration
   • Produces ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
   • Found in both plant and animal cells
3. 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)
4. Ribosomes
   • Small organelles found throughout the cytoplasm
   • Site of protein synthesis
   • Found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
5. Lysosomes
   • Membrane-bound sacs containing digestive enzymes
   • Break down and recycle cellular waste and foreign substances
   • Found in animal cells
6. Golgi Apparatus
   • Complex of flattened sacs and tubules
   • Involved in protein modification, sorting, and packaging
   • Plays a key role in cellular secretion
7. Cytoskeleton
   • Network of filaments that provide structural support and shape to the cell
   • Composed of microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments
8. Plastids
   • Found in plant cells and some protists
   • Involved in photosynthesis, pigment synthesis, and storage of nutrients
   • Types: chloroplasts, chromoplasts, and amyloplasts
9. 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
10. 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

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.