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Biology > Biology Article > Cell Organelles

Cell Organelles

More than 8.7 million species are living on the planet. Every single species is composed of a
cell and it includes both single-celled and multicellular organisms.

The cells provide shape, structure and carry out different types of functions to keep the entire
system active. The cell contains different functional structures which are collectively called
organelles, and they are involved in various cellular functions.

Also Read: Difference between organ and organelle

Let us learn more in detail about the different types and functions of Cell Organelles.

Table of Contents

What are Cell Organelles?

List of Cell Organelles and their Functions

Plasma Membrane

Cytoplasm

Nucleus

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Mitochondria

Plastids

Ribosomes

Golgi Apparatus

Microbodies

Cytoskeleton

Cilia and Flagella

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Vacuoles
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A cell is the basic structural and functional unit of a living organism. According to cell theory
postulates, a cell is the basic building block of life, which makes anything alive and is self-
sufficient to carry out all the fundamental functions of an organism.

Explore more about Cells.

What are Cell Organelles?

The cellular components are called cell organelles. These cell organelles include both
membrane and non-membrane bound organelles, present within the cells and are distinct in
their structures and functions. They coordinate and function efficiently for the normal
functioning of the cell. A few of them function by providing shape and support, whereas some
are involved in the locomotion and reproduction of a cell. There are various organelles present
within the cell and are classified into three categories based on the presence or absence of
membrane.

Organelles without membrane: The Cell wall, Ribosomes, and Cytoskeleton are non-
membrane-bound cell organelles. They are present both in the prokaryotic cell and the
eukaryotic cell.

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

Reticulum are single membrane-bound organelles present only in a eukaryotic cell.

Double membrane-bound organelles: Nucleus, mitochondria and chloroplast are double

membrane-bound organelles present only in a eukaryotic cell.

Let us learn more in detail about the different cell organelles in brief.
List of Cell Organelles and their Functions

Plasma Membrane
The plasma membrane is also termed as a Cell Membrane or Cytoplasmic Membrane. It is a
selectively permeable membrane of the cells, which is composed of a lipid bilayer and
proteins.

The plasma membrane is present both in plant and animal cells. It functions as the
selectively permeable membrane, by permitting the entry of selective materials in and out of
the cell according to the requirement. In an animal cell, the cell membrane functions by
providing shape and protects the inner contents of the cell. Based on the structure of the
plasma membrane, it is regarded as the fluid mosaic model. According to the fluid mosaic
model, the plasma membranes are subcellular structures, made of a lipid bilayer in which the
protein molecules are embedded.

Also refer to the Difference Between Cell Membrane and Plasma Membrane

Cytoplasm
The cytoplasm is present both in plant and animal cells. They are jelly-like substances, found
between the cell membrane and nucleus. They are mainly composed of water, organic and
inorganic compounds. The cytoplasm is one of the essential components of the cell, where all
the cell organelles are embedded. These cell organelles contain enzymes, mainly responsible
for controlling all metabolic activity taking place within the cell and are the site for most of the
chemical reactions within a cell.

Nucleus

The nucleus is a double-membraned organelle found in all eukaryotic cells. It is the largest
organelle, which functions as the control centre of the cellular activities and is the storehouse
of the cell’s DNA. 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. Within the nucleus, there are tiny spherical bodies called nucleolus. It also carries an
essential structure called chromosomes.

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). Hence, the nucleus controls the
characters and functions of cells in our body. The primary function of the nucleus is to
monitor cellular activities including metabolism and growth by making use of DNA’s genetic
information. Nucleoli in the nucleus are responsible for the synthesis of protein and RNA.

Also read about the Nucleus

Endoplasmic Reticulum
The Endoplasmic Reticulum is a network of membranous canals filled with fluid. They are the
transport system of the cell, involved in transporting materials throughout the cell.
There are two different types of Endoplasmic Reticulum:

1. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum – They are composed of cisternae, tubules, and vesicles,
which are found throughout the cell and are involved in protein manufacture.

2. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum – They are the storage organelle, associated with the
production of lipids, steroids, and also responsible for detoxifying the cell.
Also, read about Endoplasmic Reticulum

Mitochondria

Mitochondria are called the 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.

The double membranes divide its lumen into two distinct aqueous compartments. The inner
compartment is called a ‘matrix’ which is folded into cristae whereas the outer membrane
forms a continuous boundary with the cytoplasm. They usually vary in their size and are found
either round or oval in shape. 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.

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.

Also read about Mitochondria

Plastids
Plastids are large, membrane-bound organelles which contain pigments. Based on the type
of pigments, plastids are of three types:
 Chloroplasts – Chloroplasts are double membrane-bound organelles, which usually
vary in their shape – from a disc shape to spherical, discoid, oval and ribbon. They are
present in mesophyll cells of leaves, which store chloroplasts and other carotenoid
pigments. These pigments are responsible for trapping light energy for photosynthesis.
The inner membrane encloses a space called the stroma. Flattened disc-like
chlorophyll-containing structures known as thylakoids are arranged in a stacked
manner like a pile of coins. Each pile is called a granum (plural: grana) and the
thylakoids of different grana are connected by flat membranous tubules known as
stromal lamella. Just like the mitochondrial matrix, the stroma of chloroplast also
contains a double-stranded circular DNA, 70S ribosomes, and enzymes which are
required for the synthesis of carbohydrates and proteins.

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

xanthophylls, carotene, etc. which provide the plants with their characteristic color –
yellow, orange, red, etc.

Leucoplasts – Leucoplasts are colorless plastids which store nutrients. Amyloplasts store
carbohydrates (like starch in potatoes), aleuroplasts store proteins, and elaioplasts
store oils and fats.

Also read about Plastids

Ribosomes
Ribosomes are non membrane-bound and important cytoplasmic organelles found in close
association with the endoplasmic reticulum. Ribosomes are found in the form of tiny particles
in a large number of cells and are mainly composed of 2/3rd of RNA and 1/3rd of protein. They
are named as the 70s (found in prokaryotes) or 80s (found in eukaryotes) The letter S refers to
the density and the size, known as Svedberg’s Unit. Both 70S and 80S ribosomes are
composed of two subunits. Ribosomes are either encompassed within the endoplasmic
reticulum or are freely traced in the cell’s cytoplasm. Ribosomal RNA and Ribosomal proteins
are the two components that together constitute ribosomes. The primary function of the
ribosomes includes protein synthesis in all living cells that ensure the survival of the cell.

Also read about Ribosomes

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

Also read about the Golgi Apparatus

Microbodies
Microbodies are membrane-bound, minute, vesicular organelles, found in both plant and
animal cells. They contain various enzymes and proteins and can be visualized only under the
electron microscope.

Also read about Microbodies

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 cytoskeleton matrix is composed of different types of proteins that can
divide rapidly or disassemble depending on the requirement of the cells. The primary
functions include providing the shape and mechanical resistance to the cell against
deformation, the contractile nature of the filaments helps in motility during cytokinesis.

Also read about Cytoskeleton

Cilia and Flagella

Cilia are hair-like projections, small structures, present outside the cell wall and work like oars
to either move the cell or the extracellular fluid. Flagella are slightly bigger and are responsible
for the cell movements. The eukaryotic flagellum structurally differs from its prokaryotic
counterpart. The core of the cilium and flagellum is called an axoneme, which contains nine
pairs of gradually arranged peripheral microtubules and a set of central microtubules
running parallel to the axis. The central tubules are interconnected by a bridge and are
embedded by a central sheath. One of the peripheral microtubular pairs is also
interconnected to the central sheath by a radial spoke. Hence there are a total of 9 radial
spokes. The cilia and flagella emerge from centriole-like structures called basal bodies.

Also read about the Difference Between Cilia And Flagella

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,
and the fibril is a set of interlinked triplets. The core part of the centriole is known as a hub and
is proteinaceous. The hub connects the peripheral fibrils via radial spoke, which is made up of
proteins. The centrioles from the basal bodies of the cilia and flagella give rise to spindle fibres
during cell division.

Also read about Centrosomes

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 cells have different size and number
of vacuoles. Compared to the animals, plant cells have larger vacuoles.

Also read about Vacuoles

A Brief Summary on Cell Organelles

Cell Structure Functions

Orga
nelles

Cell A double membrane composed of Provides shape, protects the inner

mem lipids and proteins. Present both in organelles of the cell and acts as a
brane plant and animal cells. selectively permeable membrane.

Centr Composed of centrioles and found It plays a major role in organizing the
osom only in the animal cells. microtubule and cell division.
es

Chlor Present only in plant cells and Sites of photosynthesis.

oplas contains a green-coloured pigment
ts known as chlorophyll.

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

Endo A network of membranous tubules, Forms the skeletal framework of the cell,
plas present within the cytoplasm of a cell. involved in the detoxification, production
mic of lipids and proteins.
Retic
ulum

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

appa organelles, present within the intracellular transport.
ratus cytoplasm of the eukaryotic cells.
 Lysos A tiny, circular-shaped, single Helps in the digestion and removes
omes membrane-bound organelles, filled wastes and digests dead and damaged
with digestive enzymes. cells. Therefore, it is also called as the
“suicidal bags”.

Mitoc An oval-shaped, membrane-bound The main site of cellular respiration and

hondr organelle, also called as the also involved in storing energy in the form
ia “Powerhouse of The Cell”. of ATP molecules.

Nucle The largest, double membrane- Controls the activity of the cell, helps in
us bound organelles, which contains all cell division and controls the hereditary
the cell’s genetic information. characters.

Peroxi A membrane-bound cellular Involved in the metabolism of lipids

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

Plasti Double membrane-bound organelles. Helps in the process of photosynthesis

ds There are 3 types of plastids: and pollination, imparts colour to leaves,
flowers, fruits and stores starch, proteins
1. Leucoplast –Colourless plastids.
and fats.
2. Chromoplast–Blue, red, and
yellow colour plastids.

3. Chloroplast – Green coloured

plastids.

Ribos Non-membrane organelles, found Involved in the synthesis of proteins.

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

Vacu A membrane-bound, fluid-filled Provide shape and rigidity to the plant

oles organelle found within the cytoplasm. cell and help in digestion, excretion, and
storage of substances.

Frequently Asked Questions on Cell Organelles:

Which cell organelle is called the Powerhouse of the cell?

Mitochondria is the cell organelle and is called the Powerhouse of the cell as they carry out the
cellular respiration and generate the energy molecules called ATP or Adenosine Triphosphate.
 Where do we find Chloroplasts and Chromoplast pigments in plants?

Chloroplasts and Chromoplasts are the plastids present in all plant cells. Chloroplasts contain
the green colour pigments, present in the leaves, green-coloured stems, etc. Chromoplasts
contain thee colourful pigments present in all colourful parts of the plant like flowers and fruits,
etc.

Why Lysosomes are known as suicide bags?

Lysosomes are called the suicidal bags because they are capable of breaking down or
digesting all the wastes, dead and damaged cells.

What is Nucleoid?

Nucleoid is a non-membrane, irregular-shaped cell organelle present in all prokaryotic cells.

They are the carriers of the genetic material of a cell.

The largest membrane-bound organelle in a eukaryotic cell is?

Organelles are special and organized structures seen in living cells. Some of the membrane-
bound organelles are vacuoles, nucleus, chloroplasts, lysosomes etc. The nucleus is the
largest organelle in the cell.

Stay tuned with BYJU’S to learn more about the different types of Cell Organelles, their
functions and other related topics at BYJU’S Biology

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Put your understanding of this concept to test by answering a few MCQs.

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Select the correct answer and click on the “Finish” button

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