Nucleus
The nucleus is a membrane bound organelle and is surrounded by a double membrane. It is often referred to as the brain of the cell. DNA is contained within the nucleus and is responsible for providing the cell with it unique characteristics. DNA is similar in all cells but depending on the cell type some genes may not be active. The nucleus also stores genes and organizes genes into chromosomes to allow cell division. The most important structure in the nucleus is the nucleolus.
Ribosomes
Ribosomes are protein builders. They connect amino acids together and build long chains. Ribosomes are found in many places around the cell. Ribosomes which are found floating around the cytoplasm are making protein which will be used within the cell. Other ribosomes are found on the . ER’s with attached ribosomes are called rough. Those attached ribosomes make proteins that will be used inside the cell and proteins made for export out of the cell.
Mitochondria
Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell. They act like a that takes in nutrients, breaks them down, and creates energy for the cell. Mitochondria are very small. Depending on what the cell needs to do you might find thousands of Mitochondria. Sometimes they can even grow, move, and combine with other mitochondria, depending on the cell's needs. Mitochondria have two membranes, the outer covers and contain the organelle, the inner fold over many times to increase the surface area inside the organelle. The increased surface area allows the small organelle to do a lot of work. Many of the chemical reactions happen in the inner membrane.
Endoplasmic Recticulum
The Endoplasmic Recticulum is the packaging system of the cell, it works closely with the Golgi body and the Ribosomes. It creates network membranes within the cell. There are two types of ER, Smooth and Rough. They are different shapes but do have the same membranes. Smooth ER look like tubes, they act as a storage organelle. They create and store steroids and ions. Rough ER are secreted on ribosomes. They are very important in packaging of proteins. Ribosomes are attached to the membrane of the ER. The ribosome builds the amino acid chain, the chain is pushed into the ER. When the protein is complete, the rough ER pinches off a vesicle. That vesicle can then move to the Golgi body.
Golgi Body
The Golgi body can be found in most cells and are another packaging organelle. They gather simply molecules to combine them to make complex molecules. These complex molecules are then packaged into vesicles. They are either sent out of the cell or stored for later use. The Golgi body is a series of membranes shaped like pancakes. The membrane surrounds an area of fluid where the complex molecules are stored and changed. Because the Golgi body absorbs vesicles from the rough ER, you will also find in them.
