How Do Organelles Work in Plant and Animal Cells?
The nucleus, ribosomes, and mitochondria are all examples of organelles.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Learn about the difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.James Watson and Francis Crick revolutionized the study of genetics when they discovered the structure of DNA.
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© Open University (A Britannica Publishing Partner)Basic similarities between cells and ways cells may vary depending on their function.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Learn about the different cell organelles, including the mitochondrion, the nucleus, the ribosome, and others.
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Transcript
Organelles are specialized structures within a cell that perform a specific function. Do you know these cell organelles?
The nucleus is a large organelle that stores the cell’s DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid.
The nucleus uses the genetic information in DNA to control all of the cell’s activities, such as growth and metabolism.
Ribosomes make proteins using instructions from RNA, or ribonucleic acid. They float freely in the nucleus and the cell’s cytoplasm. They are also found in parts of the endoplasmic reticulum.
The endoplasmic reticulum – or “ER” – is a folded, membranous structure.
The rough ER contains ribosomes and helps manufacture proteins.
The smooth ER lacks ribosomes. It helps produce lipids, or fats.
Proteins from the rough ER are sent to the Golgi apparatus, where they undergo further changes. The Golgi is composed of folded membranes and can store the modified proteins or pack them in vesicles for shipment elsewhere.
Plant and algae cells have chloroplasts for photosynthesis. Chloroplasts contain the green pigment chlorophyll, which captures the Sun’s energy, which in turn helps convert water and carbon dioxide into sugar and oxygen.
Mitochondria are the site of cellular respiration, a process that breaks down glucose to release energy. This energy is captured by ATP – adenosine triphosphate – which the cell uses as fuel for the processes of life.
The nucleus is a large organelle that stores the cell’s DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid.
The nucleus uses the genetic information in DNA to control all of the cell’s activities, such as growth and metabolism.
Ribosomes make proteins using instructions from RNA, or ribonucleic acid. They float freely in the nucleus and the cell’s cytoplasm. They are also found in parts of the endoplasmic reticulum.
The endoplasmic reticulum – or “ER” – is a folded, membranous structure.
The rough ER contains ribosomes and helps manufacture proteins.
The smooth ER lacks ribosomes. It helps produce lipids, or fats.
Proteins from the rough ER are sent to the Golgi apparatus, where they undergo further changes. The Golgi is composed of folded membranes and can store the modified proteins or pack them in vesicles for shipment elsewhere.
Plant and algae cells have chloroplasts for photosynthesis. Chloroplasts contain the green pigment chlorophyll, which captures the Sun’s energy, which in turn helps convert water and carbon dioxide into sugar and oxygen.
Mitochondria are the site of cellular respiration, a process that breaks down glucose to release energy. This energy is captured by ATP – adenosine triphosphate – which the cell uses as fuel for the processes of life.
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