Eukaryotic Cell Organelles

• Eukaryotic cells

  • They mostly contain the same organelles, with a few key differences
• Examples of eukaryotic cells

  • Animal cell
  • Plant cell
  • Fungal cell
• Organelles found in most eukaryotic cells

  • Nucleus
  • Nuclear envelope
  • Nuclear pore
  • Nucleolus
  • Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
  • Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
  • Ribosomes
  • Mitochondrion
  • Golgi Apparatus
  • Golgi Vesicle
  • Cytoplasm
  • Lysosome
  • Cell-surface/plasma membrane
• Additional organelles found in plant and algal cells

  • Cell wall
  • Chloroplast
  • Vacuole
• Nucleus

  Spherical, containing a nucleolus, and is surrounded by a nuclear envelope with nuclear pores. Contains genetic info in the form of DNA & chromosomes, ribosomal subunits (rRNA, rAMP, rRNA), controls cell activities
• Nuclear envelope

  A double membrane embedded with nuclear pores. Continuous with ER
• Nuclear pore

  Channel proteins in the nuclear envelope that allow ribosomes & mRNA to leave the nucleus
• Nucleolus


  A dark, dense region of the nucleus that produces ribosomes
• Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

  Network of flattened membrane-bound sacs called cisternae, and tubules, studded with ribosomes. Synthesis & transport of proteins and glycoproteins
• Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)


  Similar to RER, but with no ribosomes. Synthesis, storage & transport of lipids, steroids
• Ribosomes

  Made of RNA and protein; 1 large & 1 small subunit. Site of protein synthesis
• Mitochondrion

  Double membrane (inner folds to form cristae) + matrix. Site of aerobic respiration, forming ATP
• Golgi Apparatus

  Stack of flattened, membrane-bound sacs called cisternae. Modifies & packages proteins & lipids for transport, used in secretion & lysosome formation
• Golgi Vesicle

  Fluid filled sac in the cytoplasm, bounded by a membrane. Stores lipids & proteins made by Golgi apparatus & transports them out of the cell (via cell-surface membrane)
• Cytoplasm

  Fluid-like substance between the cell membrane & nucleus; mainly composed of water (as well as some organic or inorganic substances). Site of chemical reactions. Also contains cytoskeletons (network of threads & filaments that help the cell by maintaining its shape or form)
• Lysosome

  Membrane-bound organelle containing hydrolytic enzymes, breaking down organelles/cell debris/ingested materials
• Cell-surface/plasma membrane

  Membrane around & within all cells; composed of phospholipids, proteins, cholesterol, glycolipids, glycoproteins. Selectively permeable, regulating the movement of substances into and out of the cell. Also has receptor molecules on it to respond to chemical signals
• Cell wall

  (in plants & algae) Made of cellulose microfibrils, (in fungi) made of chitin. Freely permeable, provides support and mechanical strength, maintains cell shape, prevents cell bursting when turgid
• Vacuole

  Fluid-filled sac bound by a single membrane (tonoplast). Contains salt, sugars, amino acids, waste, and sometimes pigments. Provides structure to plants through making cells turgid, temporary food store, provides colour to plants (attracting insects)
• Chloroplast

  Double membrane containing thylakoid discs (forming stacks called grana). Contains a stroma. Site of photosynthesis