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 Organelles Structure Functions

Cell membrane A double membrane composed of lipids and Provides shape, protects the inner
proteins. Present both in plant and animal organelles of the cell and acts as a
cells. selectively permeable membrane.

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

Chloroplasts Present only in plant cells and contains a Sites of photosynthesis.

green-coloured pigment known as
chlorophyll.
Cytoplasm A jelly-like substance, which consists of Responsible for the cell’s metabolic
water, dissolved nutrients and waste products activities.
of the cell.

Endoplasmic A network of membranous tubules, present Forms the skeletal framework of the cell,
Reticulum within the cytoplasm of a cell. involved in the detoxification, production
of lipids and proteins.

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

present within the cytoplasm of the intracellular transport.
eukaryotic cells.

Lysosomes A tiny, circular-shaped, single membrane- Helps in the digestion and removes wastes
bound organelles,  filled with digestive and digests dead and damaged cells.
enzymes. Therefore, it is also called as the “suicidal
bags”.

Mitochondria An oval-shaped, membrane-bound organelle, The main site of cellular respiration and
also called as the “Powerhouse of The Cell”. also involved in storing energy in the form
of ATP molecules.

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

Peroxisome A membrane-bound cellular organelle present Involved in the metabolism of lipids

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

Plastids Double membrane-bound organelles. There Helps in the process of photosynthesis and
are 3 types of plastids: 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.

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

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

Vacuoles A membrane-bound, fluid-filled organelle Provide shape and rigidity to the plant cell
found within the cytoplasm. 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.