Organelles

Cell fractionation is a technique used to separate cellular components based on their size, shape and density

Ultracentrifugation allowed the isolation of organelles in sufficient quantities to perform individual experiments on them

Organelles are discrete subunits inside a cell that are adapted to perform specific functions

Organelles are bound either by a single or double membrane

Due to the absence of a membrane cell wall, cytoplasm and cytoskeleton they are not considered organelles

Eukaryotic cells have a number of compartmentalised organelles including:

• Nucleus

• Mitochondria

• Endoplasmic reticulum

• Golgi complex

• Vesicle

• Chloroplasts (plants)

• Centrosomes (animals)