Cell Organelles and Their Functions

red blood cells

carries oxygen, glucose, blood cells containing hemoglobin that carry oxygen through the bloodstream

lysosomes

contain hydrolytic enzymes for digestion, cell organelle filled with enzymes needed to break down certain materials in the cell

vacuole

contains food or water, a tiny cavity filled with fluid in the cytoplasm of a cell

ribosomes

create proteins, make proteins, non membrane bounded organelles responsible for protein synthesis

chloroplast

creates glucose, organelle found in cells of plants and some other organisms that captures the energy from sunlight and converts it into chemical energy

smooth endoplasmic reticulum

creates lipids or fat, An endomembrane system where lipids are synthesized, calcium levels are regulated, and toxic substances are broken down.

cisternae

flattened stacked membrane folds, enlarged areas of the sarcoplasmic reticulum on both sides of the transvers tubules

centrioles

for cellular division and cellular reproduction, two tiny structures located in the cytoplasm near the nuclear envelope

cilia

hair like structures, short structures projecting from a cell and containing bundles of microtubules that move a cell through its surroundings or move fluid over the cell's surface

nucleus

information center of the cell, a part of the cell containing DNA and RNA and responsible for growth and reproduction

glyco lipids

lipids attached to proteins, have a polysaccharide chain known as an oligosaccharide which acts as a cell signal

peroxisome

microbodies found in animal cells, A microbody containing enzymes that transfer hydrogen from various substrates to oxygen, producing and then degrading hydrogen peroxide.

glyoxysome

microbodies found in plant cells, An organelle found in plants, in which stored lipids are converted to carbohydrates.

vesicle

moves protein, lipid and carbohydrate, a small anatomically normal sac or bladderlike structure (especially one containing fluid)

mitochondria

produces energy through cellular respiration, Powerhouse of the cell, organelle that is the site of ATP (energy) production

golgi body

protein or lipid enters the cytoplasm, a net-like structure in the cytoplasm of animal cells (especially in those cells that produce secretions)

microtubules

provide internal support, hollow tubes of protein about 25 nanometers in diameter, support the cell and moves organelles within the cell

contractile vacuole

pump water out of cell, saclike organelles that expand to collect excess water and contract to squeeze the water out of the cell

cell membrane

separates cell contents from the environment, a thin membrane around the cytoplasm of a cell

glycoprotein

short sugar chains attached to proteins, a protein linked to a sugar or polysaccharide; component of receptor molecules on the outer surface of cells

nucleolus

site of ribosome synthesis, a small round body of protein in a cell nucleus

liposome

small membrane bounded transport vesicles, an artificially made microscopic vesicle into which nucleic acids can be packaged

cytoskeleton

supports structure and helps move synthesized proteins

nuclear envelope

surrounds the nucleus, layer of two membranes that surrounds the nucleus of a cell

golgi apparatus

synthesis, packages and releases concentrate proteins or lipids, a net-like structure in the cytoplasm of animal cells (especially in those cells that produce secretions)

flagellum

tail, a lash-like appendage used for locomotion (e.g., in sperm cells and some bacteria and protozoa)

chromatin

threadlike mass of DNA, the readily stainable substance of a cell nucleus consisting of DNA and RNA and various proteins

cardiac

tissues at the heart, the muscle that makes up the heart

skeletal

tissues attached by tendons to bones, very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold

smooth

tissues on the wall of the guts; the iris of the eye, having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities, having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities

rough endoplasmic reticulum

transport and storage, System of internal membranes within the cytoplasm. Membranes are rough due to the presence of ribosomes. functions in transport of substances such as proteins within the cytoplasm

cytoplasm

where all chemicals take place, a jellylike fluid inside the cell in which the organelles are suspended