A: Ribosomes
B: Lumen
Above: RER.
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)
The smooth endoplasmic reticulum has detoxifying qualities and breaks down drugs and poisons. It is described as smooth because it is associated with smooth oily fats, and it lacks the covering of ribosomes as found on the RER.
A: Lumen
Above: SER.
The SER produces lipids and steroid molecules such as cholesterol and testosterone which are then sent in vesicles to the Golgi body or secreted out of the cell. Additionally in certain cells around the body, such as the liver, SER can adapt to the requirements of the cell and its environment. Liver cells can increase their volume of SER to detoxify alcohol or other poisons when there has been substantial consumption.
Golgi body
The Golgi body is where molecules of mucus, insulin, cellulose, enzymes, proteins and lipids are processed for use within or outside of the cell. The organelle also produces lysosomes.
A: Golgi complex
B: Fusion with Golgi body
C: Secretion
D: Plasma membrane
E: Transport vesicles
Above: Golgi body and surrounding organelle.
The Golgi body is located very near the rough endoplasmic reticulum and consists of single membrane flattened cisternae stacked on top of one another. These stacks of cisternae take in proteins sent to it by the rough endoplasmic reticulum which are then modified and packaged in vesicles and transported of for use within of the cell, the plasma membrane, or secretion outside of the cell.
Lysosome – formed in the ER
Lysosomes originate from the Golgi body and are responsible for keeping the cell clean. They destroy invading bacteria and break down redundant organelles, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. The digestive enzymes found in lysosomes are created in the rough endoplasmic reticulum where they are then shifted to the Golgi body where the rest of the organelle is formed.
A: Single-wall membrane
B: Enzyme complexes
Above: A Lysosome
Lysosomes are single membrane spherical pouches which contain hydrolytic enzymes; they will break down a targeted material by fusing with it and releasing enzymes inside to overwhelm and digest the offending structure. The material is digested into very small pieces so that the fragments can then leave the lysosome and be used for nourishment or recycling within the cell. This process is called Phagocytosis.
Mitochondrion
Mitochondria provide the cell with energy and are present in nearly all eukaryotic cells. Mitochondria break down food molecules that come into the cell using oxygen. By breaking down food molecules the mitochondria produce vast amounts of ATP energy which the cell requires to function and perform tasks. Mitochondrion has its own unique DNA which is separate to that of the cell, this DNA contains to code for proteins.
A: Inner membrane
B: Outer membrane
C: DNA
D: ATP particles
E: Matrix
F: Cristae
G: Ribosome
Above: Mitochondria
The Organelle has a double membrane; the outer membrane is smooth and allows the entrance of salts, sugars, and nucleotides. The inner membrane, known as cristae, has a large number of infolding’s which maximise the size of the area for the production of ATP. The inner membrane is more selective on which substances it allows to pass through so that the environment within is optimised for enzyme activity; only pyrovic acid and oxygen can enter, and carbon dioxide and ATP can exit the organelle.
Chloroplast
Chloroplasts are found in plant cells and are where photosynthesis occurs; this is the process where sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water are used to make sugars and oxygen.
As with mitochondrion, a chloroplast will have its own unique DNA that is separate to that of the rest of the cell.
A: Outer membrane
B: Inner membrane
C: Thylakoid
D: Stroma
Above: A Chloroplast
Chloroplasts consist of a surrounding double membrane and are filled with a thick fluid called stroma. The outer membrane is permeable to organic substances whereas the inner membrane is less permeable and studded with transport proteins. The stroma contains metabolic enzymes and duplicates of the chloroplast genome.
The stacks found inside the chloroplast are called thylakoids; this is where the actual process of photosynthesis occurs. Thylakoids house a complex of carotenoids, proteins and the green chemical chlorophyll that makes photosynthesis possible. This complex works efficiently to help increase surface area and the wavelength range in which the pigments can absorb sunlight energy. Once energy is captured in the thylakoids it is then transferred to enzymes found in the stroma which then build glucose.
Bibliography
Images
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Videos
The Cell- Chemistry of Life (2009). Produced by Smith, J & Herbert, M. [Documentry]. Scotland: BBC FOUR
The Cell- Hidden Kingdom (2009). Produced by Smith, J & Herbert, M. [Documentry]. Scotland: BBC FOUR
The Cell- Spark of Life (2009). Produced by Smith, J & Herbert, M. [Documentry]. Scotland: BBC FOUR
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