CELL ORGANELLES

Organelles without membrane: Ribosomes, and Cytoskeleton , present both in prokaryotic

cell and the eukaryotic cell.

Single membrane-bound organelles: Vacuole, Lysosome, Golgi Apparatus, Endoplasmic

Reticulum , present only in a eukaryotic cell.

Double membrane-bound organelles: Nucleus, mitochondria and chloroplast , present only in a

eukaryotic cell.

1.PLASMA MEMBRANE
1. also termed as a Cell Membrane or Cytoplasmic Membrane.
2.  functions by providing shape and protects the inner contents of the cell.
3. made of a lipid bilayer in which the protein molecules are embedded.
4.  to transport nutrients into the cell and also to transport toxic substances out of
the cell.

5. ENDO AND EXOCYTOSIS = The cell membrane plays an important role

in both of these processes. The shape of the membrane itself changes
to allow molecules to enter or exit the cell.

Cytoplasm
1. jelly-like substances, found between the cell membrane and nucleus.

2.  mainly composed of water,  organic and inorganic compounds. 

3. one of the essential components of the cell, where all the cell organelles are
embedded. 

4. protects cell organelles from damage

NUCLEUS
1. double-membraned organelle
2. LARGEST ORGANELLE
3. Functions as the control centre of the cellular activities and is the
storehouse of the cell’s DNA.

4. By structure, the nucleus is dark, round, surrounded by a nuclear

membrane. It is a porous membrane (like cell membrane) and forms a
wall between cytoplasm and nucleus.

5. Within the nucleus, there are tiny spherical bodies called nucleolus. It
also carries another essential structure called chromosomes.

6.  Nucleoli in the nucleus are responsible for the synthesis of protein and
RNA.

WHAT ARE CHROMOSOMES?

ANS. Chromosomes are thin and thread-
like structures which carry another
important structure called a gene. Genes
are a hereditary unit in organisms i.e., it
helps in the inheritance of traits from one
generation (parents) to another
(offspring).

ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM
1.  network of membranous canals filled with fluid. They are the
transport system of the cell, involved in transporting materials
throughout the cell.

2. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum – They are composed of cisternae,

tubules, and vesicles, which are found throughout the cell and are
involved with protein manufacture.
3. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum – They are the storage organelle,
associated with the production of lipids, steroids, and also
responsible for detoxifying the cell.
 MITOCHONDRIA
1. powerhouses of the cell as they produce energy-rich molecules
for the cell. The mitochondrial genome is inherited maternally in
several organisms. It is a double membrane-bound, sausage-
shaped organelle, found in almost all eukaryotic cells.
2.  Mitochondria are the sites of aerobic respiration in the cell,
produces energy in the form of ATP and helps in the
transformation of the molecules.

3. For instance, glucose is converted into adenosine

triphosphate – ATP. Mitochondria have their own circular
DNA, RNA molecules, ribosomes (the 70s), and a few other
molecules that help in protein synthesis.

Plastids
Plastids are large, membrane-bound organelles which contain pigments. Based on the type of
pigments, plastids are of three types:

 Chromoplasts – The chromoplasts include fat-soluble, carotenoid pigments like

xanthophylls, carotene, etc. which provide the plants with their characteristic color –
yellow, orange, red, etc.
Chloroplasts are double membrane-bound organelles,
which usually vary in their shape – from a disc shape to
spherical, discoid, oval and ribbon. 
 These pigments are responsible for trapping light energy for
photosynthesis. The inner membrane encloses a space called
the stroma.

 Leucoplasts – Leucoplasts are colorless plastids which store nutrients. Amyloplasts

store carbohydrates (like starch in potatoes), aleuroplasts store proteins, and elaioplasts
store oils and fats.

RIBOSOMES
Ribosomes are nonmembrane-bound and important
cytoplasmic organelles found in close association with the
endoplasmic reticulum.
Ribosomes are either encompassed within the endoplasmic
reticulum or are freely traced in the cell’s cytoplasm.
The primary function of the ribosomes includes protein
synthesis in all living cells that ensure the survival of the cell.

Golgi Apparatus
Golgi Apparatus 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 lipid to targeted
destinations. Golgi Apparatus is found within the cytoplasm of a cell and are present in both
plant and animal cells.

Cytoskeleton
It is a continuous network of filamentous proteinaceous structures that run throughout the
cytoplasm, from the nucleus to the plasma membrane. It is found in all living cells, notably in the
eukaryotes.

The primary functions include providing the shape and mechanical resistance to the cell against
deformation, the contractile nature of the filaments helps in motility and during cytokinesis.. 

Centrosome and Centrioles

The centrosome organelle is made up of two mutually perpendicular structures known as

centrioles. Each centriole is composed of 9 equally spaced peripheral fibrils of tubulin protein

The centrioles from the basal bodies of the cilia and flagella give rise to spindle fibres during cell
division.

Vacuoles
Vacuoles are mostly defined as storage bubbles of irregular shapes which are found in cells.
They are fluid-filled organelles enclosed by a membrane. The vacuole stores the food or a variety
of nutrients that a cell might need to survive. In addition to this, it also stores waste products.
The waste products are eventually thrown out by vacuoles. Thus, the rest of the cell is protected
from contamination. The animal and plant cell have different size and number of vacuoles.
Compared to the animals, plant cell have larger vacuoles.
A Brief Summary on Cell Organelles
Cell Organelles Structure Functions

Cell membrane A double membrane composed of lipids Provides shape, protects the inner organelle
and proteins. Present both in plant and of the cell and acts as a selectively
animal cell. permeable membrane.

Centrosomes Composed of Centrioles and found only in It plays a major role in organizing the
the animal cells. microtubule and Cell division.

Chloroplasts Present only in plant cells and contains a Sites of photosynthesis.

green-coloured pigment known as
chlorophyll.

Cytoplasm A jelly-like substance, which consists of Responsible for the cell’s metabolic
water, dissolved nutrients and waste activities.
products of the cell.

Endoplasmic A network of membranous tubules, present Forms the skeletal framework of the cell,
Reticulum within the cytoplasm of a cell. involved in the Detoxification, production of
Lipids and proteins.

Golgi apparatus Membrane-bound, sac-like organelles, It is mainly involved in secretion and

present within the cytoplasm of the intracellular transport.
eukaryotic cells.

Lysosomes A tiny, circular-shaped, single membrane- Helps in the digestion and removes wastes
bound organelles,  filled with digestive and digests dead and damaged cells.
enzymes. Therefore, it is also called as the “suicidal
bags”.

Mitochondria An oval-shaped, membrane-bound The main sites of cellular respiration and

organelle, also called as the “Power House also involved in storing energy in the form
of The Cell”. of ATP molecules.
Nucleus A largest, double membrane-bound Controls the activity of the cell, helps in cell
organelles, which contains all the cell’s division and controls the hereditary
genetic information. characters.

Peroxisome A membrane-bound cellular organelle Involved in the metabolism of lipids

present in the cytoplasm, which contains and catabolism of long-chain fatty acids.
the reducing enzyme.

Plastids Double membrane-bound organelles. There Helps in the process of photosynthesis and
are 3 types of plastids: pollination, Imparts colour for leaves,
flowers and fruits and stores starch, proteins
1. Leucoplast –Colourless plastids. and fats.
2. Chromoplast–Blue, Red, and
Yellow colour plastids.
3. Chloroplast – Green coloured
plastids.

Ribosomes Non-membrane organelles, found floating Involved in the Synthesis of Proteins.

freely in the cell’s cytoplasm or embedded
within the endoplasmic reticulum.

Vacuoles A membrane-bound, fluid-filled organelle Provide shape and rigidity to the plant cell
found within the cytoplasm. and helps in digestion, excretion, and
storage of substances.