ORGANELLE

STRUCTURE
Nuclear Pore

NUCLEAR MEMBRANE/ NUCLEAR ENVELOPE CHROMATIN NUCLEOLUS

ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM

FUNCTION The nucleus has two primary functions: 1. Storing the DNA of the organism. 2. Coordinating cell activities, such as growth, reproduction, and protein synthesis. The NUCLEAR ENVELOPE is a double layered membrane with small perforations called nuclear pores that allow the communication between the nucleus and the rest of the cell. The DNA of the cell is combined with proteins to form dense string-like structures called CHROMATIN. The NUCLEOLUS is involved in ribosome synthesis. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a network of tubules extending throughout the cell from the nucleus to the plasma membrane. Its function is to transport materials within the internal region of the cell. The Rough ER has organelles called Ribosomes on its exterior involved in protein synthesis. The Smooth ER does not have the ribosomes on its surface but it has many unique enzymes on its surface.

NUCLEUS

RIBOSOMES

Ribosomes do not have an exterior membrane. They carry out protein synthesis in the cell. Some are found free in the cell, but they are also found on the surface of the Rough ER. Eukaryotic Ribosome consist of two subunits which together equal 80S. All Eukaryotic cells have cytoplasm, which is the name given to the region where the organelles occur. The fluid portion of the cytoplasm, between organelles is known as the cytosol.

CYTOPLASM

Lysosomes are intracellular digestive centres that arise from the Golgi apparatus. The Lysosome lacks any internal structures, and aresacs boundedby a single membrane containing up to 40 different enzymes. Lysosomes fuse with old or damaged components of the cell to break them down so that the recycling of components can occur. The Golgi apparatus appears to be flattened sacs (cisternae) stacked on top of eachother. This organelle is involved in the collection, packaging, modification and distribution of materials synthesised within the cell. One side of the apparatus is near the Rough ER and recieves products from the ER. These products move towards the apparatus from the cis to the trans side and are transported in vesicles to wherever they are needed within the cell. The mitochondria are found throughout the cytoplasm. Most of the chemical reactions that take pace in a mitochondrion involve the production of ATP. Mitochondria have their own DNA which takes its form as a circular chromosome much like that of the prokaryotic cell so they can reproduce independently. The outermembrane is smooth, but the inside is full of folds called cristae which provide a large internal surface area or chemical reactions to occur. This organelle also contains its own ribosomes. Cells that require large amounts of energy have more mitochondria than others.

(singluar: mitochondrion)

MITOCHONDRIA

THE GOLGI APPARATUS

LYSOSOMES