Cell Organelles

AP BIO

Nucleus / Nucleolus

Found in eukaryotic cells (animal and plant); nucleus stores DNA and controls the cell, nucleolus makes ribosomes; without it, the cell loses control and can't make proteins.

Ribosomes

Found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells (animal and plant); make proteins from mRNA; without them, no proteins or enzymes are made and the cell dies.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (Rough ER)

Found in eukaryotic cells (animal and plant); makes and transports proteins with ribosomes attached; without it, proteins can't be properly made or sent to the Golgi.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (Smooth ER)

Found in eukaryotic cells (animal and plant); makes lipids, detoxifies chemicals, and stores calcium; without it, toxins build up and lipids can't be produced.

Golgi Apparatus

Found in eukaryotic cells (animal and plant); modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for transport; without it, proteins aren't sent where needed and the cell malfunctions.

Cell Wall

Found in prokaryotic cells and plant eukaryotic cells; provides structure and protection; without it, the cell loses shape and can burst.

Plasma (Cell) Membrane

Found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells (animal and plant); controls what enters and exits the cell; without it, the cell can't maintain homeostasis and may die.

Vacuole

Found in eukaryotic cells (both; large in plants, small in animals); stores water, nutrients, and waste; without it, plants wilt and animals can't regulate storage or waste.

Vesicle

Found in eukaryotic cells (animal and plant); some prokaryotes make simple membrane vesicles; transports materials within the cell; without it, materials can't move or be secreted.

Chloroplast

Found in eukaryotic plant cells; converts sunlight to glucose via photosynthesis; without it, plants can't make food or energy.

Lysosome

Found in eukaryotic animal cells (rare in plants); breaks down waste and damaged organelles; without it, waste builds up and the cell becomes toxic.

Mitochondria

Found in eukaryotic cells (animal and plant); produces ATP energy through cellular respiration; without it, the cell can't make energy and dies.

Cytoskeleton / Cytoplasm

Found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells (animal and plant); cytoskeleton gives shape and movement, cytoplasm holds organelles and allows reactions; without it, the cell loses structure and function.

Peroxisome

Found in eukaryotic cells (animal and plant); breaks down fatty acids and detoxifies hydrogen peroxide; without it, toxins build up and the cell is damaged.