Organelles of the animal cell and their functions

1. INTRODUCTION

The animal cell has 13 different types of organelles¹ with specialized functions.

Below you can find a list will all of them (animal cell organelles and their functions) with and image/diagram to help you visualize where they are and how they look within the cell.

2. ORGANELLES OF THE ANIMAL CELL AND THEIR FUNCTION

• Nucleolus: Synthesis of ribosomal RNA.
• Nucleus: Contains genes (chromatin).
• Ribosomes: Protein synthesis.
• Vesicle: Transport of materials within the cytoplasm.
• Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER): Protein synthesis.
• Golgi Apparatus: Processes, packages and distributes proteins to other organelles for export.
• Cytoskeleton: Structural support of cells; facilitates the movement of the organelles.
• Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER): Lipid synthesis; drug metabolism.
• Mitochondria: Produces energy for the cell called ATP.
• Vacuole: Protection of the cell, collect waste products and maintain internal pH, among others. (*) Only in some animal cells.
• Lysosome: Cellular digestion.
• Centrosome: regulate the cell-cycle progression.
• Cell membrane: separates the cell from its environment; regulates the movement of materials in and out of the cell.

1) Nucleolus; 2) Nucleus; 3) Ribosome (dots); 4) Vesicle; 5) Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER); 6) Golgi apparatus; 7) Cytoskeleton; 8) Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER); 9) Mitochondrion; 10) Vacuole; 11) Cytosol (It’s not an organelle. It’s the fluid that contains the organelles); 12) Lysosome; 13) Centrosome; 14) Cell membrane.

3. RELATED

Organelles of the plant cell and their functions

4. REFERENCES

• Cox, M. y Nelson, D. (2007). Principios de bioquímica (5th edition). Barcelona: Ediciones Omega. (*) Book in Spanish.
• Kelvinsong (2012). Diagram of a typical animal cell. Retrieved from Wikipedia Commons. Avaliable [HERE].