What are Organelles
Organelles are located within a cell body and have similar functions to that of an organ within the body. There are numerous types of organelles with each playing a specific role within the cell. They are commonly located through a microscope and are enclosed within their own lipid bilayer. The name organelle was developed over a number of years with the first reference to an organelle being organula in 1884. Organelles were then called cellular organs for many years until the 1920’s when the word organelle was used to describe the different structures inside a cell.
What are organelles?
Organelle is defined as any of a number of organized or specialized structures within a living cell. Organelles are the part of a cell that functions as an organ would within the body. Eukaryotic cells are very complex and thus house a large number of specialized organelles. Some of the main organelles in a eukaryotic cell include chloroplast, mitochondria, nucleus, Golgi apparatus and vacuole. Each of these organelles play an important role in maintaining the cell, just as each organ plays a specific role in the body.
In the past it was believed that prokaryotic cells were not organized or complex enough to contain structures surrounded by lipid layers. However, recent research has also shown that the less complex prokaryotic cells also have specific organelles. Some of the main organelles in prokaryotic cells include the carboxysome, chlorosome, flagellum, nucleoid and ribosome.
Both types of cells have DNA and RNA that can be used to create new cells and organelles. They also have specific organelles that help the cell to produce and use energy.
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