The cell is the functional and structural unit of living beings and is not only present in viruses. It is worth noting, however, that despite not having cells, viruses are extremely dependent on them, which demonstrates the importance of this microscopic structure.
Cells, despite being small, hide a large number of structures, being extremely complex. In the cytoplasm, for example, it is possible to observe a large amount of small cell components that have different functions, the so-called cell organelles.
Cell organelles function like small organs inside cells, ensuring their survival. These structures vary from cell to cell, but some of them are common to all cell types. In prokaryotic cells, for example, the only organelle found is the ribosome, a structure related to protein synthesis that is present in all cell types. In the plant cell, a type of eukaryotic cell, there are specific structures, such as the cell juice vacuole and chloroplasts.
→ Examples of Cell Organelles and Their Functions
As already pointed out, a cell has several organelles, some exclusive and some not. Among the main existing cell organelles, we can mention:
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Centriole - Related to the process of cell division and formation of cilia and flagella;
Chloroplast –Related to the photosynthesis process;
Golgi complex – Mainly related to the process of storing substances and cellular secretion;
Lysosome – Responsible for the intracellular digestion process;
mitochondria –Related to the cellular respiration process, that is, the production of energy for the cell;
endoplasmic reticulum agranular or smooth - Related to the production of phospholipids, steroids and fatty acids, as well as the degradation of some toxic substances;
Granular or rough endoplasmic reticulum - Responsible for the production of some proteins and glycosylation of glycoproteins;
Ribosomes – Responsible for protein synthesis;
Cellular juice vacuum - Promotes osmotic balance and stores substances.
By Ma. Vanessa dos Santos
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SANTOS, Vanessa Sardinha dos. "What is a cell organelle?"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/o-que-e/biologia/o-que-e-organela-celular.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
