Organelles: Structure & Function

Organelles: Structure & Function

 Cell/Plasma Membrane
Function: Controls what enters & exits the
cell.

Structure: Phospholipid bilayer

 Nucleus
Function: Controls everything in the cell

Structure: Contains DNA/chromosomes

Enclosed by a porous double membrane called
the nuclear membrane.
 Nucleolus
Function: Takes RNA and makes ribosomes

Structure: Dense region inside the nucleus

 Ribosomes
Function: Links together amino acids to make
proteins (that means enzymes too!)

Structure: Tiny organelles made of proteins &

RNA. Found on Rough ER
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Function: Transport, "intracellular highway“.

Site of protein synthesis; makes more ER
Structure: Thin folded membranes that are
connected together.
HAS ribosomes
 Vesicle
Membrane-bound containers that carry
substances throughout the cell
 Golgi
Apparatus/Body/Complex
Function: Checks, modifies & packages proteins

Structure: Closely layered stacks of membrane

enclosed discs
 Lysosome

Function: Breaks down food, waste &

damaged cell parts all within the cell

Structure: Contains enzymes; membrane bound

 Peroxisome
Function: Protects cell from toxins, especially
H2O2.

Structure: Contains enzymes; membrane bound

 Vacuole
Function: stores materials for cell

Structure: fluid filled sacs; small in animal

cells; large in plant cells
 Plastids
Function: Storage sacs in plant cells only!

Structure: 3 different types

 Plastids
1.Leucoplast – stores starch in roots & stems
2.Chromoplast – stores the orange/yellow pigment
3.Chloroplast- stores the green pigment/ site of
photosynthesis
 Chloroplast
Function: Uses sunlight to create food,
photosynthesis (only found in green plants & algae)

Structure: 3 membranes; bean shaped; contains

chlorophyll (green pigment)
 Mitochondria
Function: Supplies energy to the cell; site of
cellular respiration; ‘powerhouse’ of cell

Structure: Bean shaped; 2 membranes; has own

DNA & ribosomes
 Chloroplast & Mitochondria
Both have: more than 1 membrane
‘Powerhouse’ of their cells
Contain their own DNA
Reproduce independently of the cell
Were they once free-living prokaryotic cells?!
 Cytoplasm/Cytosol
Function: Hold organelles in place & site for
chemical reactions

Structure: Jelly – like substance between the

area of the nucleus & cell membrane
 Cytoskeleton
Function: Supports & shapes the cell

Structure: A network of protein filaments

(microtubules, microfilaments)
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
Function: Transport, "intracellular highway“.
Also makes lipids; breaks down toxins such as
drugs/alcohol
Structure: Thin folded membranes
that are connected together.
No ribosomes
 Centrosome/Centrioles
Function: Helps the cell divide

Structure: Small region of cytoplasm, made up

of microtubules; pair of centrioles
Flagellum (flagella = plural)
Tail used for movement
 Cilium (cilia = plural)
Tiny hair-like projections on cell exterior used
For movement and gathering food