Cell Organelles & their Functions

Nucleus
The nucleus houses
the majority of
genetic material of a
cell. The nucleus is
the “brain” of the cell
and controls all
activity within the
cell. Electron microscope picture of a nucleus

The NUCLEUS
(mayor of city hall)
Using DNA as a blueprint (like the
blueprints of a city) the nucleus
directs the production of proteins.

Ribosomes
The ribosomes carry out manual
labor in the form of protein
synthesis for the nucleus. They
bring together all the raw
ingredients such as RNA (copies
of the original DNA blueprints)
and amino acids to assemble
proteins. The proteins created
are essential to cell and
organismal function.The large and small subunits of ribosomal
RNA translating an mRNA strand into a
polypeptide chain.

Ribosomes
(lumber or brick yard)
Think of proteins as machinery for cell
functions much like electricity and plumbing
are essential in a real city. For example,
enzymes are a type of protein without which
life could not exist.

The Endoplasmic Reticulum
Rough ER
 Rough ER is named for the
presence of ribosomes
along its membrane and is
the source of proteins.
Smooth ER
 Smooth ER lacks ribosomes and
is responsible for lipid synthesis
and processes a variety of
metabolic processes such as
drug detoxification.
This extensive network makes up approximately one half of all membranous tissue of the
cell and is the site of membrane and protein synthesis.

The Endoplasmic reticulum
(highways and road systems)
The ER system is much like a road system
along which industry can be found. Goods are
manufactured and shipped to needed areas
via the road system.

Cell Membrane and Cell Wall
Cell membranes surround the cell and have the ability to
regulate entrance and exit of substances, thereby
maintaining internal balance. These membranes also protect
the inner cell from outside forces.
 Cell walls are much stronger than cell membranes and protect
cells from lysing (exploding) in extremely hypotonic (diluted)
solutions.

Cell Membrane (City Border) and
Cell Wall (City Wall)
Cell walls and membranes have similar functions which is like a city perimeter.
Artist rendition of an animal cell membrane Artist rendition of a plant cell wall

Cytoskeleton
The cytoskeleton makes
up the internal
framework that gives
each cell its distinctive
shape and high level of
organization. It is
important for cell
movement and cell
division (mitosis).
Picture of a cell’s cytoskeleton- a complex
network of tubules and filaments.

Cytoskeleton
(steel girders)
The cytoskeleton makes up the internal framework,
like the steel girders that are the framework for
buildings in a city.

Cytoplasm
Cytoplasm is a semi-
fluid substance (think
gelatin) found inside the
cell. The cytoplasm
encases, cushions and
protects the internal
organelles.
The cytoplasm is the substance surrounding the
visible vacuoles in this cell

Cytoplasm
(lawns and parks)
It is the cell landscape found in any space
where organelles are not and therefore is much
like the lawns and parks of our city.

Golgi apparatus
Golgi apparatus is
responsible for
sorting, packaging,
processing and
modification of
proteins.
EM picture of a Golgi apparatus

Golgi apparatus
(post office)
Like a post office, the Golgi apparatus is
used for shipping those goods created by
the ER and ribosomes to the rest of cell.

Chloroplasts
Chloroplasts are organelles
found only in plant cells.
Chloroplasts are the site of
photosynthesis a process in
which the plant uses carbon
dioxide, water and sunlight
to create energy in the form
of glucose for the plant cell
as well as heterotrophs that
consume the plant.
Artist rendition of a chloroplast- site of photosynthesis in
plant cells

Chloroplasts
(solar energy plant)
Like a solar energy plant they use
sunlight to create energy for the
city.

Mitochondria
Mitochondria are found in
both plant and animal
cells and is the site of
energy production from
the oxidation of glucose
substances and the
release of (ATP) adenosine
triphosphate through
cellular respiration.
Electron microscope picture of a
mitochondria

Mitochondria is like an
energy plant.

Lysosomes
The lysosomes are
digestive sacs that can
break down
macromolecules in the
cell using the process of
hydrolysis. The digestion
is carried out with
lysosomal enzymes
found in the lysosome.
Electron microscope picture of a lysosome.

Lysosomes
(waste disposal and recycling)
Like waste disposal in a city, lysosomes help
keep excessive or bulky macromolecules from
building up in the cell.

Vacuoles and
Vesicles
They can hold many
substances from organic
molecules to simple
excess water. Plant cells
have a central vacuole
that is important in
maintaining plant
turgidity.
Central vacuole of a plant cell

Vacuoles and Vesicles
(warehouses, water towers or
garbage dumps)
Think of these membrane sacs that have a
variety of functions as containment units for
anything in excess in a city.

Plant versus Animal Cells
From the descriptions above, we can identify three organelles
unique to plant cells:
1) cell wall (versus a cell membrane in animal cells),
2) central vacuole (regular vacuoles are found in animal cells) and
3) chloroplasts (animals do not perform photosynthesis.
This is what makes plants autotrophs and animals heterotrophs.)

Cyvi Ann P. Maraño
Reporter
BEED I-D

Cell Organelles & their Functions

Related slideshows

More Related Content

Cell Organelles & their Functions