Cell Structure

What are Cell Organelles?

The cellular components are called cell Cell wall- Additional protection the
organelles. These cell organelles cell
include both membrane and non- CYTOPLASM-a jelly-like fluid that
membrane-bound organelles, present fills the cell and where the organelles
within the cells and are distinct in their are implanted
structures and functions. They
coordinate and function efficiently for -Made up of 70-90% water
the normal functioning of the cell. A -Functionally, it is the site for several
few of them function by providing chemical reactions within a cell.
shape and support, whereas some are
Cytoskeleton
involved in the locomotion and
reproduction of a cell. There are
various organelles present within the
cell and are classified into three
categories based on the presence or
absence of a membrane.
Organelles without membrane: The
Cell wall, Ribosomes, and
Cytoskeleton are non-membrane-
bound cell organelles. They are present
both in the prokaryotic cell and the -The jelly-like fluid of the cytoplasm is
eukaryotic cell. composed of salt and water and is
Single membrane-bound organelles: present within the membrane of the
Vacuole, Lysosome, Golgi Apparatus, cells and embeds all of the parts of the
and Endoplasmic Reticulum are single cells and organelles.
membrane-bound organelles present -The cytoplasm is home to many
only in a eukaryotic cell. activities of the cell as it contains
Double membrane-bound molecules, and enzymes that are
organelles: Nucleus, mitochondria and crucial in the breakdown of the waste.
chloroplast are double membrane- -The cytoplasm also assists in
bound organelles present only in a metabolic activities.
eukaryotic cell.
-Cytoplasm provides shape to the cell.
It fills up the cells thus enabling the
organelles to remain in their position.
Parts of the Cell The cells, without cytoplasm, would
deflate and substances will not
Cell Membrane- Selectively permeable permeate easily from one to the other
Keeps homeostasis (balance) organelle.
RIBOSOME- a complex molecular
machine found inside the living cells
that produce proteins from amino acids
NUCLEUS-the command center of a
-Are not membrane-bound eukaryotic cell and is usually the most
notable cell organelle in both size and
function.

-It assembles amino acids to form

proteins that are essential to carry out
cellular functions.
-The DNA molecules housed in the
nucleus also contain blueprints for all
of the proteins produced by a cell. -Holds the genetic material (DNA)
These blueprints are ‘read’ and -Controls cell activity (cell growth and
interpreted by ribosomes, which are multiplication)
the site of protein production in plant
and animal cells. Ribosomes produce The nucleus is the control center of the
proteins by assembling amino acid cell and houses all of the cell’s genetic
sequences according to the instructions information. Usually, a cell has a
contained in the genetic code. The single nucleus that contains all of its
resulting polypeptide chains are then DNA molecules, but some (such as
folded into specific primary, tertiary, skeletal muscle cells) have more than
or quaternary 3D structures by other one nucleus. The nucleus is a double-
cell organelles. membraned organelle found in all
eukaryotic cells. It is the largest
Lysosomes -Lysosomes are small, organelle, which functions as the
spherical organelles that are packed control center of cellular activities and
full of digestive enzymes. Their key is the storehouse of the cell’s DNA. By
function is to break down and recycle structure, the nucleus is dark, round,
unwanted material for the cell, such as and surrounded by a nuclear
old cell parts or invading bacteria and membrane. It is a porous membrane
viruses. Lysosomes also play an (like a cell membrane) and forms a
important role in apoptosis (AKA wall between the cytoplasm and
programmed cell death). nucleus. Within the nucleus, there are
tiny spherical bodies called the
nucleolus. It also carries an essential
structure called chromosomes.

-Chromosomes are thin and thread-like

structures that carry another important
structure called a gene. Genes are a Nucleoplasm – provides a medium
hereditary unit in organisms i.e., it through which materials can be
helps in the inheritance of traits from transported throughout the nucleus
one generation (parents) to another Nucleolus – a dense, membrane-less
(offspring). Hence, the nucleus structure composed of RNA and
controls the characters and functions of proteins. This is where ribosomes are
cells in our body. The primary produced.
function of the nucleus is to monitor
cellular activities including ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM
metabolism and growth by making use a continuous membrane system that
of DNA’s genetic information. forms a series of flattened sacs within
Nucleoli in the nucleus are responsible the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells and
for the synthesis of protein and RNA. serves multiple functions, being
important, particularly in the synthesis,
folding, modification, and transport of
proteins.
Rough ER -named for its rough
appearance, which is due to the
ribosomes attached to its outer
(cytoplasmic) surface
-The ribosomes on rough ER
specialize in the synthesis of proteins
that possess a signal sequence that
directs them specifically to the ER for
The nucleus protects the cell’s DNA processing. The rough ER is studded
while controlling all other cellular with ribosomes, giving it a bumpy or
activities, such as cell division, ‘rough’ appearance. It folds and tags
growth, protein production, and cell newly-synthesized proteins before
death. transporting them to wherever they are
Nuclear envelope – a double needed in the body.
membrane that separates the nucleus
from the cytoplasm. -Consists of a
phospholipid bilayer like that of the
plasma membrane.
Nuclear pores – allow the substance
to enter and exit the nucleus
Chromatin – are long elongated
structures where the chromosomes are
organized when the cell is not dividing
Nucleoplasm – aka “karyoplasm”. It is
the gelatinous substance within the
nuclear envelope (similar to the
cytoplasm) -They are composed of cisternae,
tubules, and vesicles, which are found
throughout the cell and are involved in endoplasmic reticulum to their
protein manufacture. destination.
comprised of a series of flattened sacs
that extend from the endoplasmic
Smooth ER
reticulum.
-The smooth ER is involved in the
-The main function of the Golgi
synthesis of lipids, including
apparatus is the ability to deliver
cholesterol and phospholipids, which
vesicles, or packets of various cell
are used in the production of new
products, to different locations
cellular membrane.
throughout the cell. The Golgi also has
-In cells of the liver, it contributes to important functions in tagging vesicles
the detoxification of drugs and harmful with proteins and sugar molecules,
chemicals. which serve as identifiers for the
-The smooth ER does not have vesicles so they can be delivered to the
ribosomes attached to it and is instead proper target.
involved in hormone and lipid
synthesis.
-Once newly-synthesized substances
-They are the storage organelle, have left the ER, they are sent to the
associated with the production of Golgi apparatus. This is a series of
lipids, steroids, and also responsible flatted, membrane-bound sacs that
for detoxifying the cell. packages and distributes substances to
the outer cell membrane, where they
either become part of the lipid bilayer
GOLGI APPARATUS or leave the cell.
-Golgi Apparatus is also termed as
Golgi Complex. It is a membrane-
bound organelle, which is mainly
composed of a series of flattened,
stacked pouches called cisternae. This
cell organelle is primarily responsible
for transporting, modifying, and
packaging proteins and lipids to
targeted destinations. Golgi Apparatus
is found within the cytoplasm of a cell
and is present in both plant and animal
-an organelle in eukaryotic organisms cells.
that moves molecules from the

MITOCHONDRIA
produce ATP through the process of
cellular respiration—specifically,
aerobic respiration, which requires
oxygen
Mitochondria have many other All cells contain specialized,
functions as well. They can store subcellular structures that are adapted
calcium, which maintains homeostasis to keep the cell alive. Some of these
of calcium levels in the cell. They also structures release energy, while others
regulate the cell’s metabolism and produce proteins, transport substances,
have roles in apoptosis (controlled cell and control cellular activities.
death), cell signaling, and Collectively, these structures are called
thermogenesis (heat production). organelles.

Cells need energy to power their

biochemical reactions, and most of that
energy is released by mitochondria.
Mitochondria are the site of respiration
and the ‘powerhouses’ of cells,
pumping out energy which is then
stored in ATP (adenosine
triphosphate). ATP molecules are the
energy currency of cells and are used
to fuel all the other activities of the Plant and animal cells both contain
cell. organelles, many of which are found in
both types of cells. However, there are
some organelles (such as chloroplasts,
Types of Diffusion the cell wall, and large vacuoles) that
are only found in plant cells.
1. Simple Diffusion

Chloroplasts
Chloroplasts are one of the most
important types of plant cell organelle,
as they are the site of photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis is a process by which
light energy from the sun is used to
convert carbon dioxide and water
molecules into glucose, and is how
2. Facilitated Diffusion
plants produce food.

Chloroplasts are filled with

chlorophyll, the green pigment that
gives plants their color. Chlorophyll
harvests light energy, which the
chloroplast then uses to produce
glucose. Once glucose has been
synthesized, it is broken down to
release energy during cellular
respiration in the mitochondria.
The Cell Wall
Plant cells are surrounded by a tough
structure called the cell wall, which is
found outside of the cell membrane
and is mainly made of cellulose. The
cell wall supports and protects plant
cells, giving them their characteristic
rectangular or box-like shape.

The Vacuole
The vacuole is a very large organelle
that can occupy up to 90% of the
interior space of plant cells. One of its
key functions is storage. The vacuole
is filled with cell sap, which consists
mainly of water but also contains
proteins, sugars, and other molecules.
Another function of the vacuole is to
maintain turgor pressure, which helps
the plant cell to keep its shape and
prevents wilting and bursting.