All Cellular Organelles Along with their Role in the Cell (Essay Sample)

The cell
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Introduction
Cell is the basic unit of cell. It contains specialized subunits called organelles that perform specific function. The organelles vary in size, shape, function, and are usually enclosed by lipid bilayers. Some organelles are found in both plant cell and animal cells. Furthermore, eukaryotic cells may contain extra organelles compared to prokaryotes (Fawcett, 1996).
Mitochondria
This organelle is found in most eukaryotic cells including plants and animals. It is a site where respiration takes place. In mitochondria, glucose molecules are broken down through glycolytic pathway to produce energy (ATP). These organelles are therefore found in body tissues that require large amount of energy.
Nucleus
It is one of the largest organelles found at the center of a cell and it stores genetic information in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The information in the nucleus is transcribes to messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) that moves out of the cell to ribosome. MRNA serves as the template for protein synthesis. Nucleus therefore controls all cellular activities including metabolism and the growth. Eukaryotic nucleus contain nucleolus that are involved in making ribosomes and synthesizing rRNA.
Ribosomes
The ribosomes are small bodies that can be found existing freely in the cytoplas or attached to endoplasmic reticulum. The ribosomes are made of protein and ribonucleic acids. Ribosomes use ribonucleic acid (mRNA and tRNA) as template for synthesizing proteins. The proteins synthesized by riboosomes are essential for cell’s survival.
Endoplasmic reticulum
These are membranous organelles. Rough endoplasmic reticulum(ER) contains ribosome on their surface therefore, they are involved in protein manufacture, storage and transport around the cell. Smooth ER does not have ribosomes attached to them and are involved in production of lipids (fats). Smooth ER reticulum is also attached with enzymes that catalyze cellular reactions involved in post translation process. These processes include glycosylation and folding of newly synthesized protein into functional proteins.
Gogli apparatus
This organelle is also involved in modification of proteins. It then packages proteins or lipid in vesicles to be transported to other parts of the body.
Vacuoles
These organelles are used for storage of food, wastes (metabolic products and toxins) and water. This organelles store large amount of food and water in plants. High amount of water is used to maintain turgor pressure responsible for plant cell rigidity and thus gives the shape of plant cell.
Chloroplasts
This plant cell organelle contains chlorophyll that attracts sunlight. It is the site for photosynthesis process that makes plant’s food (glucose).
Cell wall
Cell wall is found in pl...