GENERAL BIOLOGY 1

CELL ORGANELLES
& OTHER SPECIALIZED
CELL STRUCTURES
 Learning Objectives
• To pinpoint the organelle parts of a cell in
both plants and animals
• To compare/contrast the similarities/
differences between plant and animal cell
organelles
• To identify the specific roles and functions
of cell organelles
 What requirements of the
city would be in order for it
to function?
The city will need power

The city generates waste

The city requires raw materials to process
Into food, clothing, and housing materials
 What are CELLS?

• What is a cell?
• Where do we find cells?
• CELL: a cell is a basic unit of structure and
function of life. In other words, cells make up
living things and carry out activities that keep
a living thing alive
Cells continued
• What makes a cell?
• A cell is a living thing.
• Cells are able to make more cells like
themselves.
• INTERESTING FACT! New cells can only come
from existing cells (cells that are already
made).
 What Are Cell Organelles?
Cell organelles (little
organs) are separated
membranous
compartments inside the
cells of the organs of living
Image credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eukaryote#/media/File:Cell_animal.jpg

organisms.
Functions of Cell Organelles
• Maintain the shape and structure of cells
• Act as storage of nutrients
• Manufacture proteins
• Harvest energy
• Repair cell parts
• Digest substances
 Cell Organelles
1. Cell membrane
surrounds the cell to
Image credit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eukaryote#/media/File:Cell_animal.jpg
selectively screen the
kinds of substances
that go in and out of
the cell.
2. Cytoplasm is a gel-
like substance made
from dissolved
proteins and liquid
encasing the cell
and giving it a fluid
nature.
3. Nucleus (only found in
eukaryotic cells) stores
the cell’s hereditary DNA
and controls cellular
activities like growth,
metabolism, protein
synthesis and
reproduction.
Nucleolus is a sub
organelle of the nucleus
composed of proteins
and ribonucleic acids
(RNA) whose role is to
assemble rRNA codes
for protein synthesis.
 Nuclear envelope
is a double membrane
lipid layer enclosing
the nucleus to protect
the DNA and
Image credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blausen_0212_CellNucleus.png
nucleoplasm.
 Nuclear pores are
permeable barriers that
limit the entry of
proteins and RNA but
allow the free passage
of water, ATP, ions and
other small molecules.
Image credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blausen_0212_CellNucleus.png
 Nucleoplasm is
a gelatinous
liquid inside the
nucleus
containing the
Image credit: from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nucleoplasm#/media/File:Diagram_human_cell_nucleus.svg
enzymes and
nucleotides.
Chromatin are
cellular bundles
made up of complex
macromolecules of
DNA, RNA and
protein.
 4. Mitochondrion is
the site of cellular
respiration and the
production of ATP
energy molecules
which gave it the
title “powerhouse of
Image credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Animal_mitochondrion_diagram_en_(edit).svg

the cell”.
 5. Endoplasmic
Reticulum (ER) is the
network of membranous
tubules that transport
the materials needed by
the cell (nutrients,
Image credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endoplasmic_reticulum#/media/File:Blausen_0350_EndoplasmicReticulum.png enzymes, hormones,
etc.).
a. Rough Endoplasmic
Reticulum

The grainy rough

structure comes from
its attached ribosomes
and is in charge of the
manufacture of
glycoproteins.
b. Smooth Endoplasmic
Reticulum

The absence of ribosomes

makes it smooth while
taking charge of the
metabolism/synthesis of
carbohydrates, lipid,
enzymes, etc.
6. Golgi bodies consist of
stacks of flattened sacs called
cisternae that receive
proteins and fats from the
rough ER for
processing/packing into
sealed droplets called
vesicles that would then be
stored and distributed to the
other parts of the cell.
7. Vacuole is a membrane-
enclosed sac for storing
essential materials while
disposing off poisonous or
harmful wastes.
It is larger in plants, where it
is known as tonoplast/central
vacuole that can flexibly
expand to absorb water.
8. Lysosome, is an organelle
found only in animal cells
that is responsible for
intracellular digestion with
the help of hydrolytic
enzymes stored in its
membranes that are
powerful enough to break
down macromolecules.
9. Chloroplast is found
exclusively in plant cells and
contains the green chlorophyll
pigments which, together
with the action of sunlight
and H2O in the process called
photosynthesis, manufactures
food for the entire plant.
 a. Thylakoid is a
membranous compartment
of flattened sacs that in
turn are made up of
several stacks called
grana.
This is the site of storage/
distribution for the
manufactured plant food.
Image credit: https://opentextbc.ca/biology/wp-content/uploads/sites/96/2015/08/Figure_03_03_09-
e14271309071452.jpg
 b. Stroma is a highly
concentrated fluid
composed of enzymes,
DNA, and ribosomes
where with/without
sunlight, photosynthesis
occurs and carbon dioxide
is converted to glucose.
It is found in the external
Image credit: https://opentextbc.ca/biology/wp-content/uploads/sites/96/2015/08/Figure_03_03_09-e14271309071452.jpg spaces of the thylakoid.
Other Special Cell Structures
1. Cytoskeleton, from the
name itself, is the
structure which gives the
cell its shape and form, as
well as the part that keeps
the organelles intact in
their proper places.
Microtubules
• Tubes with an outer diameter of
about 25 nm and an inner
diameter of about 15 nm.
• Any of the minute tubules in
eukaryotic cytoplasm that are
composed of the protein tubulin
and form an important
component of the cytoskeleton,
mitotic spindle, cilia and flagella
Microfilament
Any of the minute actin-
containing protein
filaments of eukaryotic
cytoplasm that function in
maintaining structure and
intracellular movement.
Intermediate Filament
• Fibers with diameters of about 8 – 12 nm.
• intermediate signifies, in fact, that these filaments
are intermediate in size between mirotubules and
microfilaments. Found only in multi-cellular
organisms.
• Provides structural support in many cells and tissues
2. Cilia are microscopic hair-like structures
in eukaryotic cells that can be motile or
non-motile.
 a. Non-motile cilia
antenna like role in
receiving sensory
messages to be
transmitted to other
cells. (shown on image
are nasal ciliary
epithelium cells of the
Image credit:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Luis_Palaoro3/publication/239077807/figure/fig4/AS:203011105267715@
1425413027479/Transmission-electron-micrograph-of-cross-section-of-cilia-from-nasal-ciliary-epithelium.png

nose)
 b. Motile cilia are
surrounded by mucus or
fluid substances to help
move the cell or
transfer/dispose off
materials.
Sperm cells have motile tails to
move egg cells, those in the
Image credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cilium#/media/File:Bronchiolar_epithelium_3_-_SEM.jpg kidneys bend when people
urinate, and those in the lungs
sweep off dirt and other toxins.
 3. Microvilli are non-moving
membrane enclosed
projections that increase
secretion, absorption, and
binding/adhesion properties
Image credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intestinal_villus#/media/File:Small_intestine_low_mag.jpg of cells.
4. Root hairs are hairy
membrane enclosed
projections in plant cells
that increase absorption
and surface area for
osmosis.
5. Flagella are tail-like projections in prokaryotic
and eukaryotic cells that enable the locomotion
of these organisms.
 Activity 1
Inferential Observation Report
Name: Section: Date:
Differentiated Functions of the Parts of the Cytoskeleton

Microfilament Microtubule Intermediate Filament

 Activity 2
Prior knowledge on science and health lessons would tell you that many
organs of the human body have cilia and microvilli. Try to recall them.
Then answer the table below.

This activity will be assigned as homework to be submitted individually on

a clean bond paper. The more you can identify the higher your grade will
be. Some clues have given in the slide presentations and you can still use
them. Example 1 has also been given.
Human Body Organ Cilia or Microvilli Bodily Function
Nose Cilia Smelling and keeping off
dirt