Cellular organelles: structure, function, and location

Name: James Clein T. Tang Section: A64D

Cell Organelle Function Location

The primary functions of

the nucleus are to store the
cell’s DNA, maintain its The nucleus is located in
Nucleus
integrity, and facilitate its the middle of the cell.
transcription and
replication.
The main function of
chromatin is to condense
and package DNA so that it
can fit within the tight Chromatin is located in the
Chromatin
space of the nucleus. nucleus of our cells.
Chromatin also makes
DNA accessible for reading
when transcription occurs.
The primary function of
the nucleolus is in
facilitating ribosome The nucleolus is a spherical
Nucleolus biogenesis, through the structure found in the cell's
processing and assembly of nucleus,
rRNA into preribosomal
particles.
The Rough ER is involved
Rough ER lies immediately
in some protein
adjacent to the cell
production, protein folding,
Rough Endoplasmic nucleus, and its membrane
quality control and
Reticulum is continuous with the
dispatch. It is called ‘rough’
outer membrane of the
because it is studded with
nuclear envelope.
ribosomes
The Smooth ER is
associated with the
production and metabolism
of fats and steroid The Smooth ER is located
Smooth Endoplasmic
hormones. It is ‘smooth’ near the periphery of the
Reticulum
because it is not studded cell.
with ribosomes and is
associated with smooth
slippery fats.
 The function of a ribosome
in any cell is to produce
Ribosomes are mainly
proteins. A ribosome is a
found bound to the
complex macromolecular
endoplasmic reticulum and
structure in the cell which
the nuclear envelope, as
is involved in the process
Ribosomes well as freely scattered
of translation. This is an
throughout the cytoplasm,
essential function of all
depending upon whether
living cells, allowing for the
the cell is plant, animal, or
production of proteins and
bacteria.
all manner of biological
structures.
The Golgi apparatus is a
central intracellular
membrane-bound The Golgi apparatus can be
organelle with key found in the cytoplasm
Golgi Apparatus functions in trafficking, next to the endoplasmic
processing, and sorting of reticulum and near the cell
newly synthesized nucleus.
membrane and secretory
proteins and lipids.
The main function of
peroxisome is the lipid
metabolism and the
processing of reactive
oxygen species. Other
Peroxisomes are located in
peroxisome functions
the cytoplasm of
include:
eukaryotic cells, most often
Peroxisome ➢ They take part in
near the endoplasmic
various oxidative
reticulum and
processes.
mitochondria.
➢ They take part in lipid
metabolism and
catabolism of D-amino
acids, polyamines, and
bile acids.
The lysosome acts as the
digestive system of the
Lysosomes can be found
cell, and its main function
near the cytoplasm, Golgi
Lysosome is to break down and
apparatus, and
recycle cellular debris,
mitochondrion.
discarded cellular contents
and foreign pathogens.
 The most important function of
mitochondria is to produce
energy through the process of
oxidative phosphorylation. It is
also involved in the following
process:
➢ Regulates the metabolic
activity of the cell.
➢ Promotes the growth of new
cells and cell multiplication.
➢ Helps in detoxifying
ammonia in the liver cells.
➢ Plays an important role in
apoptosis or programmed The mitochondria are in
Mitochondria cell death. the fluid that surrounds the
➢ Responsible for building nucleus (the cytoplasm).
certain parts of the blood
and various hormones like
testosterone and estrogen.
➢ Helps in maintaining an
adequate concentration of
calcium ions within the
compartments of the cell.
➢ It is also involved in various
cellular activities like cellular
differentiation, cell signaling,
cell senescence, controlling
the cell cycle and in cell
growth.
The plasma membrane
functions as a physical
barrier between the
external environment and
the inner cell organelles. The plasma membrane is
These also play an located on the cell walls of
important role in both the the cells in animals and
Plasma Membrane
endocytosis and exocytosis acts as an outer covering
processes. The plasma of living cells surrounding
membrane plays a vital role the cytoplasm and nucleus.
in anchoring the
cytoskeleton to provide
shape to the cell and also
maintain the cell potential.
The centrosome is an
The centrosome is
organelle that acts as the
positioned in the
main microtubule-
Centrosome cytoplasm outside the
organizing center (MTOC)
nucleus but often near to
and regulator of cell
it.
division. Its main function
 is to organize the
microtubules and provide a
structure to the cell. It also
pulls the chromatids apart
during cell division.
One of the major
components of the
cytoskeleton is the
microtubules. Microtubules
act as a scaffold to
determine cell shape and These straight, hollow
Cytoskeleton - provide a set of "tracks" for cylinders are found
Microtubules cell organelles and vesicles throughout the cytoplasm
to move on. They play a of all eukaryotic cells.
crucial role in moving the
daughter chromosomes to
the newly forming
daughter cells during
mitosis.
The main function of
microfilaments is structure
and support. It allows
Microfilaments are mostly
nutrients, waste products,
concentrated just beneath
Cytoskeleton - and cell organelles to travel
the cell membrane, where
Microfilaments from one part of the cell to
they support the cell and
another. Microfilaments
help the cell keep its shape.
help to generate the forces
used in cellular contraction
and basic cell movements.
The main functions of
intermediate filaments are
organize cell shape, Intermediate filaments
position organelles in form an elaborate network
Cytoskeleton – cytoplasm structural in the cytoplasm of most
Intermediate filaments support of the nuclear cells, extending from a ring
envelope and sarcomeres. surrounding the nucleus to
They are also involved in the plasma membrane.
cell-to-cell and cell-to-
matrix junctions
The microscopic microvilli There are several thousand
effectively increase the microvilli present on the
Microvilli surface area of the cell and apical surface of a single
are useful for absorption cell in human small
and secretion functions. intestinal cells (intestinal
 They are also involved in a villus). Microvilli also occur
wide variety of other in sensory cells of the inner
functions, which include ear (as stereocilia), in the
absorption, secretion, cells of taste buds, and in
cellular adhesion, and olfactory receptor cells.
mechanotransduction.
Flagella can be located
singly at one cell pole
The main flagella function
(monotrichous flagella), at
is to assist the cell in
both poles (amphitrichous
movement. Flagellum is
Flagellum flagella), in large numbers
primarily a motility
along the length of the cell
organelle that enables
(peritrichous flagella), or as
movement and chemotaxis.
a tuft of flagella at a polar
end (lophotrichous flagella).

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