Cell Organelles

Structure and function of eukaryotic cell organelles

🏭 Cell Organelles

Nucleus

Structure:

  • Nuclear envelope (double membrane with pores)
  • Nucleolus (ribosome assembly)
  • Chromatin (DNA + proteins)

Function:

  • Stores genetic information (DNA)
  • Controls cell activities
  • Site of transcription

Endomembrane System

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Rough ER:

  • Studded with ribosomes
  • Protein synthesis and modification
  • Makes membrane proteins and secreted proteins

Smooth ER:

  • No ribosomes
  • Lipid synthesis
  • Detoxification (liver)
  • Calcium storage (muscle)

Golgi Apparatus

  • Stack of membrane sacs (cisternae)
  • Modifies, sorts, packages proteins
  • Adds tags (glycosylation)
  • Ships proteins to destinations

Lysosomes (Animals)

  • Contain digestive enzymes
  • Break down macromolecules
  • Autophagy (digest old organelles)
  • Apoptosis (programmed cell death)

Vacuoles

Plant central vacuole:

  • Storage (water, ions, pigments)
  • Maintains turgor pressure
  • Waste disposal

Animal vacuoles:

  • Smaller, temporary
  • Food vacuoles (phagocytosis)
  • Contractile vacuoles (osmoregulation)

Energy Organelles

Mitochondria

Structure:

  • Double membrane
  • Outer membrane (smooth)
  • Inner membrane (cristae - folded)
  • Matrix (inner space)

Function:

  • Cellular respiration
  • ATP production
  • Own DNA (maternal inheritance)
  • Divide independently

Chloroplasts (Plants)

Structure:

  • Double membrane
  • Thylakoids (stacked in grana)
  • Stroma (fluid)

Function:

  • Photosynthesis
  • Convert light → chemical energy
  • Own DNA
  • Divide independently

Cytoskeleton

Three types of fibers:

  1. Microfilaments (actin):

    • Thinnest (7 nm)
    • Cell shape, movement
    • Muscle contraction
    • Cytoplasmic streaming
  2. Intermediate filaments:

    • Medium (8-12 nm)
    • Structural support
    • Nuclear lamina
    • Keratin in hair/nails
  3. Microtubules:

    • Thickest (25 nm)
    • Cell shape, organelle movement
    • Chromosome separation (spindle fibers)
    • Cilia and flagella structure

Other Organelles

Ribosomes

  • Protein synthesis
  • Free ribosomes → cytoplasmic proteins
  • Bound ribosomes → secreted/membrane proteins
  • NOT membrane-bound

Peroxisomes

  • Contain enzymes
  • Break down fatty acids
  • Detoxify harmful substances
  • Produce hydrogen peroxide → water

Centrioles (Animals)

  • Pair of cylindrical structures
  • Organize microtubules
  • Form spindle apparatus in cell division

Key Concepts

  1. Nucleus stores DNA and controls cell
  2. Endomembrane system makes, modifies, transports proteins
  3. Mitochondria produce ATP (cellular respiration)
  4. Chloroplasts capture light energy (photosynthesis)
  5. Cytoskeleton provides structure and movement
  6. Organelles compartmentalize cellular functions

📚 Practice Problems

1Problem 1medium

Question:

Describe the structure and function of: (a) mitochondria, (b) chloroplasts, and (c) explain the endosymbiotic theory and evidence supporting it.

💡 Show Solution

(a) Mitochondria:

Structure:

  • Double membrane:
    • Outer membrane: smooth, permeable
    • Inner membrane: highly folded into cristae (increases surface area)
  • Matrix: fluid-filled interior space
    • Contains enzymes for Krebs cycle
    • Own circular DNA (mtDNA)
    • 70S ribosomes
  • Size: 1-10 μm

Function:

  • Cellular respiration → ATP production
  • Krebs cycle (matrix)
  • Electron transport chain (inner membrane)
  • ATP synthase in cristae
  • ~36-38 ATP per glucose molecule

(b) Chloroplasts:

Structure:

  • Double membrane (outer and inner)
  • Thylakoids: flattened membrane sacs
    • Stack to form grana (singular: granum)
    • Contains chlorophyll and photosystems
  • Stroma: fluid-filled space surrounding thylakoids
    • Contains enzymes for Calvin cycle
    • Own circular DNA
    • 70S ribosomes
  • Size: 5-10 μm

Function:

  • Photosynthesis → glucose production
  • Light reactions (thylakoid membrane)
  • Calvin cycle (stroma)
  • Converts light energy to chemical energy (glucose)

(c) Endosymbiotic Theory:

Hypothesis: Mitochondria and chloroplasts originated as free-living prokaryotes that were engulfed by ancestral eukaryotic cells in an endosymbiotic relationship.

Timeline:

  1. ~2 billion years ago: aerobic bacterium engulfed → mitochondria
  2. ~1.5 billion years ago: photosynthetic cyanobacterium engulfed → chloroplasts

Evidence Supporting Theory:

  1. Double membrane:

    • Inner membrane from original prokaryote
    • Outer membrane from host cell's food vacuole
  2. Own DNA:

    • Circular DNA (like bacteria)
    • No histones (prokaryotic feature)
    • Can replicate independently
  3. 70S ribosomes:

    • Same size as bacterial ribosomes
    • Different from eukaryotic 80S ribosomes
    • Similar rRNA sequences to bacteria
  4. Binary fission:

    • Divide independently of cell
    • Similar to bacterial reproduction
  5. Gene similarity:

    • mtDNA similar to α-proteobacteria
  • Chloroplast DNA similar to cyanobacteria
  1. Double membrane structure:
    • Consistent with phagocytosis model

Endosymbiotic theory: organelles = former prokaryotes\boxed{\text{Endosymbiotic theory: organelles = former prokaryotes}}

Modern examples: Corals with zooxanthellae, paramecium with algae show similar relationships.

2Problem 2medium

Question:

Describe the structure and function of: (a) mitochondria, (b) chloroplasts, and (c) explain the endosymbiotic theory and evidence supporting it.

💡 Show Solution

(a) Mitochondria:

Structure:

  • Double membrane:
    • Outer membrane: smooth, permeable
    • Inner membrane: highly folded into cristae (increases surface area)
  • Matrix: fluid-filled interior space
    • Contains enzymes for Krebs cycle
    • Own circular DNA (mtDNA)
    • 70S ribosomes
  • Size: 1-10 μm

Function:

  • Cellular respiration → ATP production
  • Krebs cycle (matrix)
  • Electron transport chain (inner membrane)
  • ATP synthase in cristae
  • ~36-38 ATP per glucose molecule

(b) Chloroplasts:

Structure:

  • Double membrane (outer and inner)
  • Thylakoids: flattened membrane sacs
    • Stack to form grana (singular: granum)
    • Contains chlorophyll and photosystems
  • Stroma: fluid-filled space surrounding thylakoids
    • Contains enzymes for Calvin cycle
    • Own circular DNA
    • 70S ribosomes
  • Size: 5-10 μm

Function:

  • Photosynthesis → glucose production
  • Light reactions (thylakoid membrane)
  • Calvin cycle (stroma)
  • Converts light energy to chemical energy (glucose)

(c) Endosymbiotic Theory:

Hypothesis: Mitochondria and chloroplasts originated as free-living prokaryotes that were engulfed by ancestral eukaryotic cells in an endosymbiotic relationship.

Timeline:

  1. ~2 billion years ago: aerobic bacterium engulfed → mitochondria
  2. ~1.5 billion years ago: photosynthetic cyanobacterium engulfed → chloroplasts

Evidence Supporting Theory:

  1. Double membrane:

    • Inner membrane from original prokaryote
    • Outer membrane from host cell's food vacuole
  2. Own DNA:

    • Circular DNA (like bacteria)
    • No histones (prokaryotic feature)
    • Can replicate independently
  3. 70S ribosomes:

    • Same size as bacterial ribosomes
    • Different from eukaryotic 80S ribosomes
    • Similar rRNA sequences to bacteria
  4. Binary fission:

    • Divide independently of cell
    • Similar to bacterial reproduction
  5. Gene similarity:

    • mtDNA similar to α-proteobacteria
  • Chloroplast DNA similar to cyanobacteria
  1. Double membrane structure:
    • Consistent with phagocytosis model

Endosymbiotic theory: organelles = former prokaryotes\boxed{\text{Endosymbiotic theory: organelles = former prokaryotes}}

Modern examples: Corals with zooxanthellae, paramecium with algae show similar relationships.

3Problem 3medium

Question:

Describe the structure and function of: (a) mitochondria, (b) chloroplasts, and (c) explain the endosymbiotic theory and evidence supporting it.

💡 Show Solution

(a) Mitochondria:

Structure:

  • Double membrane:
    • Outer membrane: smooth, permeable
    • Inner membrane: highly folded into cristae (increases surface area)
  • Matrix: fluid-filled interior space
    • Contains enzymes for Krebs cycle
    • Own circular DNA (mtDNA)
    • 70S ribosomes
  • Size: 1-10 μm

Function:

  • Cellular respiration → ATP production
  • Krebs cycle (matrix)
  • Electron transport chain (inner membrane)
  • ATP synthase in cristae
  • ~36-38 ATP per glucose molecule

(b) Chloroplasts:

Structure:

  • Double membrane (outer and inner)
  • Thylakoids: flattened membrane sacs
    • Stack to form grana (singular: granum)
    • Contains chlorophyll and photosystems
  • Stroma: fluid-filled space surrounding thylakoids
    • Contains enzymes for Calvin cycle
    • Own circular DNA
    • 70S ribosomes
  • Size: 5-10 μm

Function:

  • Photosynthesis → glucose production
  • Light reactions (thylakoid membrane)
  • Calvin cycle (stroma)
  • Converts light energy to chemical energy (glucose)

(c) Endosymbiotic Theory:

Hypothesis: Mitochondria and chloroplasts originated as free-living prokaryotes that were engulfed by ancestral eukaryotic cells in an endosymbiotic relationship.

Timeline:

  1. ~2 billion years ago: aerobic bacterium engulfed → mitochondria
  2. ~1.5 billion years ago: photosynthetic cyanobacterium engulfed → chloroplasts

Evidence Supporting Theory:

  1. Double membrane:

    • Inner membrane from original prokaryote
    • Outer membrane from host cell's food vacuole
  2. Own DNA:

    • Circular DNA (like bacteria)
    • No histones (prokaryotic feature)
    • Can replicate independently
  3. 70S ribosomes:

    • Same size as bacterial ribosomes
    • Different from eukaryotic 80S ribosomes
    • Similar rRNA sequences to bacteria
  4. Binary fission:

    • Divide independently of cell
    • Similar to bacterial reproduction
  5. Gene similarity:

    • mtDNA similar to α-proteobacteria
  • Chloroplast DNA similar to cyanobacteria
  1. Double membrane structure:
    • Consistent with phagocytosis model

Endosymbiotic theory: organelles = former prokaryotes\boxed{\text{Endosymbiotic theory: organelles = former prokaryotes}}

Modern examples: Corals with zooxanthellae, paramecium with algae show similar relationships.

4Problem 4medium

Question:

Trace the pathway of a secreted protein from synthesis to export: (a) list each organelle involved in order, (b) describe what happens at each step, and (c) explain the role of vesicles in this process.

💡 Show Solution

Protein Secretion Pathway (Endomembrane System):

(a) Organelles in order:

  1. Ribosome (on rough ER)
  2. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)
  3. Transport vesicle
  4. Golgi apparatus (cis → medial → trans)
  5. Secretory vesicle
  6. Plasma membrane

(b) Step-by-step process:

Step 1: Translation begins (Ribosome)

  • mRNA binds to free ribosome in cytoplasm
  • Signal sequence (first amino acids) synthesized
  • Begins: NH₂-Met-...signal peptide...

Step 2: ER targeting (Signal Recognition)

  • Signal Recognition Particle (SRP) recognizes signal sequence
  • SRP binds to ribosome, pauses translation
  • SRP-ribosome complex binds to SRP receptor on RER

Step 3: Synthesis in RER

  • Ribosome docks on ER membrane
  • Polypeptide fed through translocon channel into ER lumen
  • Translation resumes
  • Signal peptidase cleaves signal sequence
  • Protein folds in ER lumen with help of chaperones
  • Glycosylation begins (adds carbohydrate groups)

Step 4: Quality control

  • Properly folded proteins continue
  • Misfolded proteins → ER-associated degradation (ERAD)

Step 5: Vesicle formation

  • COPII-coated vesicles bud from ER
  • Carry proteins toward Golgi
  • Vesicles fuse to form vesicular-tubular clusters

Step 6: Golgi processing

  • Cis face (receiving side): vesicles fuse
  • Proteins move through Golgi stack:
    • Cis → medial → trans cisternae
  • Modifications:
    • Further glycosylation
    • Phosphorylation
    • Proteolytic cleavage
    • Sorting signals added

Step 7: Sorting at Trans Golgi Network (TGN)

  • Proteins sorted by destination
  • Packaged into specific vesicles
  • Molecular tags determine fate

Step 8: Secretory vesicle

  • Clathrin-coated or other vesicles bud from TGN
  • Move along cytoskeleton (microtubules) using motor proteins
  • Approach plasma membrane

Step 9: Exocytosis

  • Vesicle fuses with plasma membrane
  • v-SNARE (vesicle) + t-SNARE (target) proteins mediate fusion
  • Protein released outside cell
  • Vesicle membrane becomes part of plasma membrane

(c) Role of vesicles:

Functions:

  1. Transport: Move proteins between organelles
  2. Protection: Shield proteins from cytoplasm
  3. Compartmentalization: Maintain separation
  4. Membrane expansion: Add membrane to plasma membrane
  5. Regulation: Allow controlled, timed secretion

Types of secretion:

Constitutive secretion:

  • Continuous, unregulated
  • Default pathway
  • Example: antibodies from plasma cells

Regulated secretion:

  • Stored in vesicles until signal received
  • Triggered by Ca²⁺ or other signals
  • Example: insulin from pancreatic β-cells, neurotransmitters

Vesicle formation mechanisms:

  • Coat proteins (COPII, COPI, clathrin) deform membrane
  • Cargo receptors select specific proteins
  • Vesicles pinch off using dynamin (GTPase)
  • Coats removed before fusion

Ribosome → RER → vesicle → Golgi → vesicle → plasma membrane → EXPORT\boxed{\text{Ribosome → RER → vesicle → Golgi → vesicle → plasma membrane → EXPORT}}

Time: Entire process takes ~30-120 minutes depending on protein and cell type.

5Problem 5medium

Question:

Trace the pathway of a secreted protein from synthesis to export: (a) list each organelle involved in order, (b) describe what happens at each step, and (c) explain the role of vesicles in this process.

💡 Show Solution

Protein Secretion Pathway (Endomembrane System):

(a) Organelles in order:

  1. Ribosome (on rough ER)
  2. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)
  3. Transport vesicle
  4. Golgi apparatus (cis → medial → trans)
  5. Secretory vesicle
  6. Plasma membrane

(b) Step-by-step process:

Step 1: Translation begins (Ribosome)

  • mRNA binds to free ribosome in cytoplasm
  • Signal sequence (first amino acids) synthesized
  • Begins: NH₂-Met-...signal peptide...

Step 2: ER targeting (Signal Recognition)

  • Signal Recognition Particle (SRP) recognizes signal sequence
  • SRP binds to ribosome, pauses translation
  • SRP-ribosome complex binds to SRP receptor on RER

Step 3: Synthesis in RER

  • Ribosome docks on ER membrane
  • Polypeptide fed through translocon channel into ER lumen
  • Translation resumes
  • Signal peptidase cleaves signal sequence
  • Protein folds in ER lumen with help of chaperones
  • Glycosylation begins (adds carbohydrate groups)

Step 4: Quality control

  • Properly folded proteins continue
  • Misfolded proteins → ER-associated degradation (ERAD)

Step 5: Vesicle formation

  • COPII-coated vesicles bud from ER
  • Carry proteins toward Golgi
  • Vesicles fuse to form vesicular-tubular clusters

Step 6: Golgi processing

  • Cis face (receiving side): vesicles fuse
  • Proteins move through Golgi stack:
    • Cis → medial → trans cisternae
  • Modifications:
    • Further glycosylation
    • Phosphorylation
    • Proteolytic cleavage
    • Sorting signals added

Step 7: Sorting at Trans Golgi Network (TGN)

  • Proteins sorted by destination
  • Packaged into specific vesicles
  • Molecular tags determine fate

Step 8: Secretory vesicle

  • Clathrin-coated or other vesicles bud from TGN
  • Move along cytoskeleton (microtubules) using motor proteins
  • Approach plasma membrane

Step 9: Exocytosis

  • Vesicle fuses with plasma membrane
  • v-SNARE (vesicle) + t-SNARE (target) proteins mediate fusion
  • Protein released outside cell
  • Vesicle membrane becomes part of plasma membrane

(c) Role of vesicles:

Functions:

  1. Transport: Move proteins between organelles
  2. Protection: Shield proteins from cytoplasm
  3. Compartmentalization: Maintain separation
  4. Membrane expansion: Add membrane to plasma membrane
  5. Regulation: Allow controlled, timed secretion

Types of secretion:

Constitutive secretion:

  • Continuous, unregulated
  • Default pathway
  • Example: antibodies from plasma cells

Regulated secretion:

  • Stored in vesicles until signal received
  • Triggered by Ca²⁺ or other signals
  • Example: insulin from pancreatic β-cells, neurotransmitters

Vesicle formation mechanisms:

  • Coat proteins (COPII, COPI, clathrin) deform membrane
  • Cargo receptors select specific proteins
  • Vesicles pinch off using dynamin (GTPase)
  • Coats removed before fusion

Ribosome → RER → vesicle → Golgi → vesicle → plasma membrane → EXPORT\boxed{\text{Ribosome → RER → vesicle → Golgi → vesicle → plasma membrane → EXPORT}}

Time: Entire process takes ~30-120 minutes depending on protein and cell type.

6Problem 6medium

Question:

Trace the pathway of a secreted protein from synthesis to export: (a) list each organelle involved in order, (b) describe what happens at each step, and (c) explain the role of vesicles in this process.

💡 Show Solution

Protein Secretion Pathway (Endomembrane System):

(a) Organelles in order:

  1. Ribosome (on rough ER)
  2. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)
  3. Transport vesicle
  4. Golgi apparatus (cis → medial → trans)
  5. Secretory vesicle
  6. Plasma membrane

(b) Step-by-step process:

Step 1: Translation begins (Ribosome)

  • mRNA binds to free ribosome in cytoplasm
  • Signal sequence (first amino acids) synthesized
  • Begins: NH₂-Met-...signal peptide...

Step 2: ER targeting (Signal Recognition)

  • Signal Recognition Particle (SRP) recognizes signal sequence
  • SRP binds to ribosome, pauses translation
  • SRP-ribosome complex binds to SRP receptor on RER

Step 3: Synthesis in RER

  • Ribosome docks on ER membrane
  • Polypeptide fed through translocon channel into ER lumen
  • Translation resumes
  • Signal peptidase cleaves signal sequence
  • Protein folds in ER lumen with help of chaperones
  • Glycosylation begins (adds carbohydrate groups)

Step 4: Quality control

  • Properly folded proteins continue
  • Misfolded proteins → ER-associated degradation (ERAD)

Step 5: Vesicle formation

  • COPII-coated vesicles bud from ER
  • Carry proteins toward Golgi
  • Vesicles fuse to form vesicular-tubular clusters

Step 6: Golgi processing

  • Cis face (receiving side): vesicles fuse
  • Proteins move through Golgi stack:
    • Cis → medial → trans cisternae
  • Modifications:
    • Further glycosylation
    • Phosphorylation
    • Proteolytic cleavage
    • Sorting signals added

Step 7: Sorting at Trans Golgi Network (TGN)

  • Proteins sorted by destination
  • Packaged into specific vesicles
  • Molecular tags determine fate

Step 8: Secretory vesicle

  • Clathrin-coated or other vesicles bud from TGN
  • Move along cytoskeleton (microtubules) using motor proteins
  • Approach plasma membrane

Step 9: Exocytosis

  • Vesicle fuses with plasma membrane
  • v-SNARE (vesicle) + t-SNARE (target) proteins mediate fusion
  • Protein released outside cell
  • Vesicle membrane becomes part of plasma membrane

(c) Role of vesicles:

Functions:

  1. Transport: Move proteins between organelles
  2. Protection: Shield proteins from cytoplasm
  3. Compartmentalization: Maintain separation
  4. Membrane expansion: Add membrane to plasma membrane
  5. Regulation: Allow controlled, timed secretion

Types of secretion:

Constitutive secretion:

  • Continuous, unregulated
  • Default pathway
  • Example: antibodies from plasma cells

Regulated secretion:

  • Stored in vesicles until signal received
  • Triggered by Ca²⁺ or other signals
  • Example: insulin from pancreatic β-cells, neurotransmitters

Vesicle formation mechanisms:

  • Coat proteins (COPII, COPI, clathrin) deform membrane
  • Cargo receptors select specific proteins
  • Vesicles pinch off using dynamin (GTPase)
  • Coats removed before fusion

Ribosome → RER → vesicle → Golgi → vesicle → plasma membrane → EXPORT\boxed{\text{Ribosome → RER → vesicle → Golgi → vesicle → plasma membrane → EXPORT}}

Time: Entire process takes ~30-120 minutes depending on protein and cell type.