CELL ORGANELLES

Within cells there is an intricate network of organelles that all have unique functions. These
organelles allow the cell to function properly. Arranged below according to location (nucleus,
cytoplasm, and surface) is a description of common organelles.

A) CYTOPLASM

CYTOPLASM is actually salt water with additional nutrients, salts (ions), and waste products. Organelles
are suspended in the cytoplasm and the cell membrane separates the cytoplasm from the outside of the
cell. The cytoplasm is gel-like (semi-solid).

-Collective term for cytoplasm and organelles is cytosol contained within the colloidal
suspension.

-Cytosol mainly composed of water with free-floating molecules

-Viscosity constantly changes

Centrioles
- Paired cylindrical organelles near nucleus
- Composed of nine tubes, each with three
tubules
- Involved in cellular division
- Lie at right angles to each other
Chloroplasts
- A plastid usually found in plant cells
- Contain green chlorophyll where
photosynthesis takes place

Cytoskeleton
- Composed of microtubules
- Supports cell and provides shape
- Aids movement of materials in and out of
cells

Endoplasmic reticulum
- Tubular network fused to nuclear
membrane
- Goes through cytoplasm onto cell
membrane
- Stores, separates, and serves as cell's
transport system
- Smooth type: lacks ribosomes
- Rough type (pictured): ribosomes
embedded in surface

-They form a network of connected

membrane tubes. Reticulum means little net
and endoplasmic means inside the
cytoplasm. The endoplasmic reticulum
(E.R.) has three major jobs. It is where
certain molecules are synthesized, stored,
and transported. Some endoplasmic
reticulum (called smooth, no ribosomes) is
where fatty acids, steroids, and lipids are
made. Some E.R., called rough (with
ribosomes), is where proteins are made.
After proteins are made in the endoplasmic
reticulum they are packaged into little
transport bodies called VESICLES. These
shuttle across the cytoplasm to the GOLGI
APPARATUS. Thus the rough E.R. and the
Golgi apparatus and vesicles are part of the
cell's highway system because they are
involved in moving proteins around the cell
and to the outside of the cell. This cell's
highway system is called PROTEIN
TRAFFICKING.

Golgi apparatus
- Protein 'packaging plant'
- A membrane structure found near nucleus
- Composed of numerous layers forming a
sac(s)
The GOLGI APPARATUS (sac) is a bunch
of hollow membranous sacs stacked on top
of each other like a series of hot water
bottles. They are connected so that they
share a single inside compartment. Protein
arrives at the Golgi in transport vesicles
from the endoplasmic reticulum and leaves
the Golgi packaged in membrane-bound
vesicles to go to other organelles or to the
outside of the cell.

Lysosome
- Digestive structure with lysozymes
(enzymes) for breaking down worn out
organelles and unwanted toxic metabolites
of the cell. Also destroy invading foreign
matter that infiltrate the cell.
- Transports undigested material to cell
membrane for removal
- Vary in shape depending on process being
carried out
- Cell breaks down if lysosome explodes
because of self digestion.
- Recycles and decomposes proteins, fats,
and carbohydrates, and forms urea.
 Mitochondria
- Second largest organelle with unique
genetic structure
- Double-layered outer membrane with
inner folds called cristae
- Energy-producing chemical reactions take
place on cristae
- Controls level of water and other materials
in cell.

Ribosomes
- Each cell contains thousands
- Miniature 'protein factories'
- Composes 25% of cell's mass
- Stationary type: embedded in rough
endoplasmic reticulum
- Mobile type: injects proteins directly into
cytoplasm

Vacuoles
- Membrane-bound sacs for storage,
digestion, and waste removal
- Contains water solution
- Contractile vacuoles for water removal (in
unicellular organisms)

Cell wall
- Most commonly found in plant cells
- Controls turgity
- Extracellular structure surrounding plasma membrane
- Primary cell wall: extremely elastic
- Secondary cell wall: forms around primary cell wall after
growth is complete

Plasma membrane
- Outer membrane of cell that controls cellular traffic
- Contains proteins that stretches through the membrane and
allow passage of materials
- Proteins are embedded within a phospholipid bi-layer.

VACUOLES
Vacuoles are organelles with lipid bilayer membranes inside
plant cells. They store salts, sugars, a few proteins, and
sometimes plant colors. They act as storage bags for the cell.

B) NUCLEUS

 One or more per cell

 Spherical shape
 Denser than surrounding cytoplasm

NUCLEUS acts as the control center for the

cell. It contains DNA that directs all functions
of the cell. The nucleus has its own lipid
bilayer membrane with large pores. Thus
the nuclear membrane is also a selectively
permeable membrane that regulates what
can enter or leave the nucleus. The nucleus
has a similar function to the brain of the
body.

Chromosomes
- Usually in the form of chromatin
- Contains genetic information
- Composed of DNA
- Thicken for cellular division
- Set number per species (i.e. 23 pairs for
human)
 Nuclear membrane
- Surrounds nucleus
- Composed of two layers
- Numerous openings for nuclear traffic

Nucleolus
- Spherical shape
- Visible when cell is not dividing
- Contains RNA for protein manufacture

RIBOSOMES
RIBOSOMES are little grains of RNA and proteins. Their job is to assemble
amino acids into proteins under the direction of the cell's DNA. Some ribosomes
are associated with the rough endoplasmic reticulum (located in the cytoplasm) and
assist with its protein synthesis.