Cell Organelles What is an organelle?

An organelle is a tiny body inside a cell that performs a specialized cell function.

Just like the organs in your body, the organelles in cells perform a variety of functions.

Eukaryotic cells can be divided into two different groups. Animal Cells Plant Cells Some organelles are in both types of cells, but

others are only in one or the other.

Plant Cell

Animal Cell

Cell Membrane Location: Surrounds the cell Structure: The cell membrane is a

phospholipid bilayer with proteins and other molecules embedded in the membrane

Function: Separates the insides of the cell, called the cytoplasm, from the outside. Also, regulates what enters and exits a cell.

Found in: All cells

Cytoskeleton Location: Extends throughout the cytoplasm Structure: Protein tubes and chains Function: Provides support for the cell, much

like a human skeleton, provides pathways for vesicles and other molecules to move through the cell, anchors cell organelles in place, aids in cell division and movement.

Found in: All cells.

Ribosomes Location: Mostly found attached to the rough

endoplasmic reticulum, but sometimes found in the cytoplasm.

Structure: Made of proteins and rRNA. Function: Translates the genetic instructions in

RNA into proteins that the cell can use. Found in: All Cells

Nucleus Location: Usually in the center of the cell. Structure: Membrane bound compartment

that has pores for molecules to enter and exit. Function: Stores and protects DNA. Found in: All eukaryotic cells.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum Location: Close to the nucleus, sometimes

attached to the nucleus. Structure: System of membranes that

separate an area from the rest of the cytoplasm. Has ribosomes attached.

Function: Helps prepare and transport the proteins that are made by the attached ribosomes.

Found in: All eukaryotic cells.Rough ER

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

Smooth ER

Location: Close to the nucleus, attached to the rough ER.

Structure: System of membranes that separate an area from the rest of the cytoplasm. Does not have ribosomes attached.

Function: Makes lipids and other molecules and breaks down toxic substances.

Found in: All eukaryotic cells.

Vesicle Location: Located throughout the cytoplasm. Structure: Small membrane-bound sacs. Function: Transports proteins and other

molecules around the cell. Found in: All eukaryotic cells.

Golgi Apparatus Location: One per cell, found in the cytoplasm. Structure: Series of flattened membrane sacs,

like flattened vesicles. Function: Serve as the packaging and

distribution center of the cell. Enzymes inside modify the proteins that come from the ER. Molecules are packaged in vesicles for transport out of the cell.

Found in: All eukaryotic cells.

Lysosome Location: Located throughout the cytoplasm. Structure: Small, membrane-bound sac that

contains digestive enzymes. Function: Digest and recycle the cell’s used

components by breaking down proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates.

Found in: Animal cells only.

Mitochondria Location: Found in the cytoplasm, a cell can

have one or many, depending on the cell function

Structure: Double membrane-bound, with the inner membrane folded in to increase surface area.

Function: Uses the energy from glucose and other molecules to make ATP that powers all the cell functions.

Found in: All eukaryotic cells.

Cell Wall Location: On the outside of the cell

membrane, completely surrounding the cell. Structure: Made of carbohydrates, including

cellulose, and proteins. Function: Supports and maintains the

structure of the cell, protects the cell from damage and connects it to adjacent cells.

Found in: Plant cells.

Chloroplast Location: Located in the cytoplasm of the cell. Structure: Double membrane with stacks of

flattened membrane sacs inside called grana. Function: Uses the energy from sunlight to

convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose in a process called photosynthesis.

Found in: Plant cells only.

Central Vacuole Location: Often in the center of the cell. Structure: Large membrane-bound sac that

takes up most of the cell. Function: Stores water and may contain other

substances, makes the cell rigid when full, which allows plants to stand upright.

Found in: Plant cells.

Cilia Location: Structure: Function: Found in:

Flagella Location: Structure: Function: Found in: