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Cell Organelles

The primary components of the cell are the plasma membrane, nucleus, and cytoplasm. The plasma membrane is a semi-permeable bilipid membrane that regulates what enters and exits the cell. The nucleus contains the cell's DNA and directs its activities. The cytoplasm, enclosed by the plasma membrane, contains organelles like mitochondria, ribosomes, the endoplasmic reticulum, and vacuoles, and is mostly made up of water.

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Mark Kenneth Castillo
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124 views

Cell Organelles

The primary components of the cell are the plasma membrane, nucleus, and cytoplasm. The plasma membrane is a semi-permeable bilipid membrane that regulates what enters and exits the cell. The nucleus contains the cell's DNA and directs its activities. The cytoplasm, enclosed by the plasma membrane, contains organelles like mitochondria, ribosomes, the endoplasmic reticulum, and vacuoles, and is mostly made up of water.

Uploaded by

Mark Kenneth Castillo
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The primary components of the cell are – plasma membrane or cell membrane, nucleus, and

cytoplasm. The nucleus and cytoplasm are enclosed within the cell membrane that is also known as the
plasma membrane.

A. The cell membrane is a semi-permeable membrane that facilitates the


movement of molecules inside and outside the plant or animal cell. It
allows only chosen substances to enter or leave cell which can
protect the cell from harmful substances.
The cell membrane is often pictured as fluid mosaic model. Fluidity
becomes its characteristic because its molecules are constantly moving. The
phospholipid molecules move sideways within the membrane. Since the
plasma membrane is fluid, it can seal itself if it is damaged or broken.
It is made up of two lipid layers called a "bilipid" membrane. The lipids
that are present in the plasma membrane are called "phospholipids."

B. The nucleus is covered with a membrane that allows materials


to pass in and out. It’s often called the “control center” of the
cell because it contains DNA. The nucleolus is where the
ribosomes are formed, and this structure can be found both in
plants and animals.

DNA and Nucleolus


DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) contains all the information for cells to live,
perform their functions and reproduce.
Inside the nucleus is another organelle called the nucleolus. The nucleolus
is responsible for making ribosomes.
The circles on the surface of the nucleus are the nuclear pores.
These are where ribosomes, and other materials move in and out of the
nucleus.

C. Cytoplasm- A term for all the contents of a cell other than the nucleus. Even though the cartoon
drawings do not look like it, the cytoplasm contains mostly water.
Some fun facts about water and the human body:
Adult bodies are about 50 to 65 percent water.
A child’s body has a little more water at 75 percent.
The human brain is about 75 percent water.
1. Ribosomes- Organelles that help in the synthesis of
proteins. Ribosomes are made up of two parts, called

subunits.
Some ribosomes are found in the cytoplasm, but most are
attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. While attached to the
ER, ribosomes make proteins that the cell needs and also
ones to be exported from the cell for work elsewhere in the
body.

2. Golgi complex- It is the organelle in the cell that is


responsible for sorting and correctly shipping the
proteins produced in the ER. Just like our postal
packages, which should have a correct shipping
address, the proteins produced in the ER should be
correctly sent to their respective address. This
organelle was named after an Italian physician, Camillo
Golgi. He was the first person to describe this organelle
in the cell. It is also the only organelle that is
capitalized.

3. Mitochondrion- This is the cell’s powerhouse. This


organelle packages the energy from the food you eat
into ATP molecules.
Every type of cell has a different amount of mitochondria
(plural). There are more mitochondria in cells that have to
perform lots of work, for example- your leg muscle cells, heart
muscle cells etc.
4. Chloroplast- This is the organelle in which
photosynthesis takes place. In this organelle the light
energy of the sun is converted into chemical energy.
Chloroplasts contain tiny pigments called chlorophylls.

5. Vesicles- This term literally means "small vessel". This


organelle helps store and transport products produced
by the cell.
The vesicles are the transport and delivery vehicles like our
mail and Federal Express trucks. Some vesicles deliver
materials to parts of the cell and others transport materials
outside the cell in a process called exocytosis.

6. Vacuole- Plant cells have what looks like a very large


empty space in the middle. This space is called the
vacuole. It contains large amounts of water and stores
other important materials such as sugars, ions and
pigments.
7. Cell wall and Plasmodesmata- In addition to cell
membranes, plants have cell walls. Cell walls provide
protection and support for plants. In land plants, the cell
wall is mostly made of cellulose.
Unlike cell membranes, materials cannot get through cell
walls. This would be a problem for plant cells if not for special
openings called plasmodesmata.
These openings are used to communicate and transport
materials between plant cells because the cell membranes
are able to touch and therefore exchange needed materials.

8. Peroxisomes- These collect and safely break down


chemicals that are toxic to the cell.

9. Centrioles- These are found only in animal cells and


come into action when the cells divide, helping with the
organization of chromosomes.

10. Lysosomes- Created by the Golgi apparatus, these


helps break down large molecules into smaller pieces
that the cell can use.
11. Cytoskeleton- Made up of filaments and tubules, it
helps shape and support the cell. It also helps things
move around in the cell. For artistic purposes, the
cytoskeleton is shown in just one place when in reality
it is found throughout the entire cell.

12. Endoplasmic Reticulum/Reticuli - is a network of


phospholipid membranes that form hollow tubes, flattened
sheets, and round sacs. These flattened, hollow folds and
sacs are called cisternae. The membrane of the ER is
continuous with the outer layer of the nuclear envelope. The
ER has two major functions:
a. Transport: Molecules, such as proteins, can move from
place to place inside the ER, much like on an intracellular
highway.
b. Synthesis: Ribosomes that are attached to ER, similar to unattached ribosomes,
make proteins. Lipids are also produced in the ER.
There are two types of endoplasmic reticulum, rough endoplasmic reticulum
(RER) and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER).
a. Rough endoplasmic reticulum is studded with ribosomes which gives it a
"rough" sandpaper-like appearance. The ribosomes on the RER make proteins
that are then transported from the ER in small phospholipid sacs called transport
vesicles.
b. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum does not have any ribosomes attached to it,
and so it has a smooth appearance. SER has many different functions some of
which are: lipid synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, calcium ion storage, steroid
metabolism and drug detoxification.

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