15 Organelle Facts: Learn About These Structures Inside Cells
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You must be an aspiring biologist if you're here, or maybe you're just curious to know more about the structures inside cells!
Similar to what an organ does to a body, an organelle is a subcellular structure that manages either one or multiple specific jobs performed in the cell. The most important cell organelles are the nuclei, which contain genetic information, and mitochondria, which help produce chemical energy.
You may have heard this phrase in your science class, 'mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell.' That surely does sound powerful, and so is the structure of a cell. Keep scrolling and learn more about it!
Importance And Role Of Organelles
Organelles are known vesicles that are found within a cell, and they have a very significant role, as it is necessary to compartmentalize every function within the cell.
Every organelle has its own function that allows the cell to live and work within your body.
Dissimilar to animal cells, plant cells possess a cell wall around the cell membrane.
Cell walls comprise cellulose, which separates them from the category of other organisms with cell walls like fungi (chitin) and bacteria (peptidoglycan).
Unicellular organisms contain organelles that are equal to the organs in multicellular organisms.
The function of mitochondria is primarily to produce energy, whereas the function of the lysosome is to produce small molecules from the large molecules by breaking them down.
Every cell contains genetic material known as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), which is vital for proper cellular activities.
Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes, which help in the digestion of worn-out cell parts, microorganisms, and food particles.
Organelles are basically structures that are found in eukaryotic cells which carry out functions.
Characteristics And Features Of Organelles
Cells are categorized into two types, namely eukaryotic cells and prokaryotic cells. The main difference between these two is the presence of an organelle, that is, the nucleus.
Eukaryotic cells possess a nucleus, whereas prokaryotic cells don't.
Prokaryotic cells don't contain membrane-bound organelles.
In animal cells, the nucleus is the biggest organelle. It controls cell activity as well as comprises cell chromosomes that are made up of genetic information, which makes you who you are.
Cellular structures and major organelles contain the following; centriole, nucleolus, lysosome, nucleus, cytosol, ribosome, vacuole, vesicle, mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, cytoskeleton, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus.
Most of the organelles are membrane-bound, which means that they contain one unit membrane surrounding them.
Origin of chloroplasts and organelles mitochondria that contain double-membranes and their own DNA is said to have originated from partly consumed/invasive prokaryotic organisms which were acquired as a part of the invaded cell.
Prokaryotic organelles are less complex compared to eukaryotes, and they do not compose internal structures that are enclosed by lipid membranes.
Bacterial cells do not contain intracellular membrane-bound structures or organelles.
Although prokaryotes were once said to have no organelles, studies these days say otherwise.
As compared to eukaryote organelles, they are not organized, and they do not compose plasma membranes.
Plant-Only Organelles
Plant cells compose organelles that are very different as compared to animal cells.
Plant cells compose 17 organelles, at the least.
They are ribosome, druse crystal, Golgi vesicles, raphide crystal, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, chloroplast, nucleolus, vacuole membrane, nucleus, Golgi apparatus, rough endoplasmic reticulum, cell membrane, amyloplast, large central vacuole, cell wall, and other specialized plastids.
FAQs
Q: What happens if an organelle is damaged?
A: If an organelle is damaged, it may lead to fatal situations like cancer, inflammatory diseases, genetic problems, neurodegenerative diseases, and aging.
Q: What organelle can we live without?
A: You cannot survive without an organelle (mitochondria), as it is a vital organelle that powers almost all of the human cells.
Q: Why is an organelle important?
A: An organelle is a very vital specialized structure that performs various functions in keeping a cell alive.
Q: What are the five most important organelles in a cell?
A: Mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, nucleus, lysosomes, and the Golgi apparatus are the five most important organelles in a cell.
Q: What do organelles do?
A: Organelles perform functions that help keep a cell alive.
Q: What are four facts about organelles?
A: The following are facts about organelles:
Plant cells contain organelles known as vacuoles.
The nucleus controls the reproduction and growth of the cells.
Golgi apparatus produces, stores, and transports certain cellular products.
Ribosomes function in protein synthesis.
The endoplasmic reticulum helps synthesize lipids and carbohydrates.
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Sources
https://www.encyclopedia.com/plants-and-animals/zoology-and-veterinary-medicine/zoology-general/organelle#:~:text=Organelles also function in transportalso have organelles called vacuoles.
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/organelles/#:~:text=Organelles are specialized structures that perform various jobs inside cellsto keep a cell alive.
https://www.thoughtco.com/facts-about-cells-373372
https://lisbdnet.com/what-are-the-organelles-only-found-in-plants/#:~:text=The two organelles found onlyare chloroplasts and central vacuoles.
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As a skilled communicator with exceptional interpersonal abilities, Ada holds a Bachelor's degree in Multimedia and Mass Communication from SIES (Nerul) College of Arts, Science & Commerce. Fluent in English and proficient in German, Ada enjoys engaging in meaningful conversations with people while striving to achieve her goals.
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