Human Cells, Organelles and their Functions

14 Organelles and their functions

Lysosome- An organelle that serves as the principal site of digestion with in the cell.

Nucleus- The command center of the cell containing almost all the genetic information.

Nucleolus- A specialized region within the nucleus that forms and disassembles during the course of the cell cycle.  It plays a role in the generation of ribosomes, organelles involved in protein synthesis.

Ribosome- The site where protein synthesis begins in a cell.  It consists of two subunits, each containing ribosomal RNA and proteins.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)- Endoplasmic reticulum that is studded with ribosomes.  It produces membrane.

Golgi Complex- An organelle consisting of flattened membranous disks that functions in protein processing and packaging.

Microfilament- A component of the cytoskeleton made from the globular protein actin.  Micorfilaments from contractile units in muscle cells and are responsible for amoeboid.

Plasma Membrane- The thin outer boundary of a cell that controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell. 

Cytoplasm- The part of the cell that includes the aqueous fluid within the cell and all the organelles with the exception of the nucleus.

Vacuole- A cavity or vesicle in the cytoplasm of a cell usually containing air or fluid. 

Centrioles- A structure found in pairs with in a chromosome.  Each centrioles is composed of nine sets of triplet microtubules arranged in a ring.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)- Endoplasmic reticulum without ribosomes.  It produces membrane and detoxifies drugs.

Microtubule- A component of the cytoskeleton made from the globular protein tubulin.  Microtubules are responsible for the movement of cilia and flagella and serve as tracks for the movement of organelles and vesicles.

Mitochondrion- An organelle within which most of cellular respiration occurs in a eukaryotic cell.  Cellular respiration is the process by which oxygen and an organic fuel such as glucose are consumed and energy is released and used to form ATP.