Organelles
Organelles are separate compartments in eukaryotic cells that contain different enzymes and molecules and have specific roles in maintaining cell structure and function [1]. Each organelle has its own membrane in the form of a lipid bilayer, this allows compartmentalization and segragation of different chemical activites. Different organelles can be seperated by centrifugation due to thier varying densities.
Eukaryotic Organelles and their Functions:
- Ribosomes - host sites for protein synthesis: translation of mRNA into proteins.
- Nucleus - contains chromosomes as a store of genetic information.
- Nuclear envelope - surrounds the nucleus, allows passage of material into and out of the nucleus. Eg mRNA
- Rough ER (endoplasmic reticulum) - located next to the nucleus, the rough ER has docked ribosomes for protein synthesis.
- Smooth ER - endoplasmic reticulum without docked ribosomes - synthesis of lipids and steroids
- Lysozyme - contain hydrolytic enzyme for intracellular degredation
- Endosomes - sort endocytosed materials
- Golgi Body - post-transcriptional modification, separation and assortment of newly synthesised proteins
- Peroxisomes - contain enzymes for oxidation of toxins
References
- ↑ Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, Raff M, Roberts K, Walter P. 2008. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 5th Edition. p695. Garland Science, New York