Name Photograph Function

Mitochondria Certain stages of respiration take

place in the Mitochondria. They
produce a molecule named ATP;
from carbohydrates and these are
energy carriers. Cells that have a
high metabolic activity need a
large supply of ATP, hence the
number and size of the
mitochondria increase and the
number of their cristae.

Ribosomes Ribosomes are small cytoplasmic

granules found in all cells and
may occur in the cytoplasm or to
be associated with the RER.
Ribosomes are important in
protein synthesis because they
contain ribosomal RNA and
protein.
Lysosomes Lysosomes are formed when the
vesicles produced by Golgi
apparatus contain enzymes such
as proteases and lipases. The
function of lysosomes are to
break down material ingested by
phagocytic cells, such as white
blood cells, then to release
enzymes to the outside of the cell
in order to destroy material
around the cell. To digest worn
out organelles so that the useful
chemicals they are made of can
be re-used and to completely
break down cells after they have
died.

Microvilli Microvilli are finger-like

projections of the epithelial cell
that increase its surface area to
allow more efficient absorption.
Endoplasmic reticulum Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a
three-dimensional system if
sheet-like membranes spreading
through the cytoplasm. It is
continuous with the outer nuclear
membrane, there are two types
of ER:
Rough endoplasmic reticulum
which has ribosomes on the outer
surfaces and the functions are to
provide a large surface area for
protein synthesis and to provide
pathway for the transport of
materials.
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
lacks ribosomes and is often
more tubular and they are there
to synthesise, store and transport
lipids and carbohydrates.
Golgi apparatus Golgi apparatus consists of a
stack of membranes that make
up flattened sacs, or cisternae
with small hollow rounded
structures called vesicles. The
functions of the Golgi apparatus
are to add carbohydrate to
proteins to form glycoprotein’s
and produce secretory enzymes
such as those secreted by the
pancreas. To secrete
carbohydrates, such as those
used in making cell walls in
plants. To transport, modify and
store lipids as well as forming
lysosomes.
Plasma membrane Plasma membranes surround
cells and form the boundary
between the cell cytoplasm and
the environment. It allows
different conditions to be
established inside and outside a
cell. It controls the movement of
substances in and out of the cell.

Nucleus The nucleus contains the

organism’s hereditary material
and controls the cell’s activities.
It is usually spherical and has a
number of parts: nuclear
envelope, nuclear pores,
nucleoplasm, chromatin and
nucleolus. The functions are to
act as the control centre of the
cell through production of mRNA
and therefore protein synthesis.
To retain genetic material of the
cell in the form of DNA or
chromosomes and to
manufacture ribosomal RNA and
ribosomes.