Double Membrane Bound Organelles

Nucleus cells

Eukaryotes

Nucleus function

Stores DNA

Nucleus double membrane

• Nuclear envelope

• Features nuclear pores to control entry and exit

Nucleus damaged

• Genome is exposed to cytoplasmic enzymes

• DNA degradation and immediate cell death

Mitochondria cells

Eukaryotes

Mitochondria function

Site of cellular respiration

Mitochondria inner membrane

Heavily folded into cristae to maximize the surface area for ATP synthase enzymes

Mitochondria damaged

ATP production crashes, causing cellular metabolic failure

Chloroplasts cells

Plants and algae

Chloroplasts function

Site of photosynthesis

Chloroplasts inner membrane

Organizes into stacks of fluid-filled discs (thylakoids) to capture light

Double membrane bound organelles

• Two complete phospholipid bilayers

• Only found in eukaryotes

Endosymbiotic theory

Double membrane bound organelles were once independent prokaryotes that were engulfed by a larger ancestral cell