Connection lost. Please refresh the page.
The #1 platform to learn anatomy
6,377,468 users worldwide
Exam success since 2011
Serving healthcare students globally
Reviewed by medical experts
2,907 articles, quizzes and videos
Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!
Membranous organelles
Learning objectives
After completing this study unit, you will be able to:
- Discuss the importance of membranes around cell organelles.
- Describe the structure and function of mitochondria and peroxisomes.
- Explain the structure and function of the endomembrane system including the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and lysosomes.
Introduction
The cell is the structural and functional unit of all living organisms. Each cell is bounded by a cell membrane (plasma membrane) and contains a nucleus and cytoplasm, with organelles suspended in a gel-like substance known as cytosol.
Membranous (membrane-bound) organelles include the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, mitochondria and peroxisomes. The membrane keeps proteins and enzymes dedicated to a particular function within a specific compartment and ensures that toxic substances are isolated within the cell.
Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell. Their enzymes extract energy from food breakdown in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) via a process known as oxidative phosphorylation.
Peroxisomes contain oxidases and catalases, responsible for detoxifying harmful substances and breaking down very long chain fatty acids.
The nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and lysosomes form the endomembrane system. This system modifies, sorts and packages proteins and lipids into vesicles to be transported to their appropriate destinations within and outside the cell.
Explore concepts
Membranous organelles
Membranous organelles include the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, peroxisomes, mitochondria and nucleus.
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/rough-endoplasmic-reticulum/OqTFr7w0SOGamrMFuad1gg_Rough_endoplasmic_reticulum.png "Rough endoplasmic reticulum (Reticulum endoplasmicum granulosum); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/smooth-endoplasmic-reticulum/K11E1hvwZPSgF0C0EQ2vGQ_Smooth_endoplasma_reticulm.png "Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (Reticulum endoplasmicum non granulosum); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/golgi-apparatus/SOj9WkuH98CG1chXZJtxw_Golgi_apparatus.png "Golgi apparatus (Apparatus golgiensis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/lysosome/TbbLnBxWJseXFKn8lz1tLw_Lysosome_magnified.png "Lysosome (Lysosoma); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/peroxisome/j8k0La4HOLsCDYSxDfmGvw_Peroxisome_magnified.png "Peroxisome (Peroxysoma); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/mitochondrion-of-the-eukaryotic-cell/gxnSx2Aay7zsImuNyY2Frw_Mitochondrion_magnified.png "Mitochondrion; Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/logos/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/learnable/nucleus-1/kqGEjwcBkSldfBOFt3XlVQ_Nucleus.png "Cell nucleus (Nucleus); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
Rough endoplasmic reticulum
Reticulum endoplasmicum granulosum
1/7
Synonyms:
Rough ER, RER
Each organelle plays a unique role in contributing to cell function.
:watermark(/images/watermark_5000_10percent.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/overview_image/4831/0nyl0Mg44ze37V75d1nLXw_P92_Membrane_bound_organelles_AA_en.jpg){kind=logo}
Mitochondrion
Mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell, have a structure designed to facilitate their functions.
:watermark(/images/watermark_5000_10percent.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/overview_image/4829/JaNa3d3sVJoKu32XhFsJAA_P93_Structure_of_mitochondrion_AA_en.jpg){kind=logo}
Endomembrane system
The endomembrane system is a network of organelles including the nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes and vesicles.
:watermark(/images/watermark_5000_10percent.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/overview_image/4837/h8wJo00k3CL8bMPJ3z2tHw_P94_endomembrane_system_AA_en.jpg){kind=logo}
Lysosome
Lysosomes are the recycling and clean up crew of the cell.
:watermark(/images/watermark_5000_10percent.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/overview_image/4832/TGfLtIADRgxPXK6abMIGSg_P96_types_of_lysosomes_AA_en.jpg){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_5000_10percent.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/overview_image/4834/tJOQ0W9D8z00EwGlVY2uvQ_P96_Types_of_lysosomes_endocytosis_AA_en.jpg){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_5000_10percent.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/overview_image/4835/VwPDkdlIk2sVy4QZIbxCSg_P96_Types_of_lysosomes_phagocytosis_AA_en.jpg){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_5000_10percent.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/overview_image/4833/LxAQkkh1vtUCpn3chBm9BQ_P96_Types_of_lysosomes_autophagy_AA_en.jpg){kind=logo}
Take a quiz
Reinforce what you’ve learnt about the cytoplasm and its organelles with this quiz!
Summary
| Membranous (membrane-bound) organelles | Nucleus Endoplasmic reticulum Golgi apparatus Lysosome Mitochondria Peroxisome |
| Mitochondrion | Bean-shaped organelle with two membranes: outer and inner membrane Extracts energy from food breakdown products in the form of ATP |
| Peroxisomes | Spherical organelle with a membrane Detoxifies toxic substances and breaks down very long chain fatty acids |
| Endomembrane system | Includes nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes Modifies, sorts and packages proteins and lipids |
| Endoplasmic reticulum | Network of interconnected membrane-bound tubules and sacs. Rough endoplasmic reticulum: Has ribosomes, folds and modifies proteins Smooth endoplasmic reticulum: No ribosomes, synthesizes lipids, detoxifies toxic substances (ethanol), stores and controls the release of calcium |
| Golgi apparatus | Sacs and vesicles arranged in stacks with a cis (receiving) face and trans (shipping) face Modifies, sorts and packages proteins and lipids |
| Lysosome | Spherical membranous organelle that contains acid hydrolases Digests material that enters the cell and recycles organelles Endolysosome: formed after endocytosis Phagolysosome: formed after phagocytosis Autophagolysosome: formed during autophagy |
Continue your learning
Related anatomy study units
:format(jpeg)/images/study_unit/histology-eukaryotic-cell/dXotEfdgsB6Fpy32Oq5m3A_Cell_Thumbnail_03.png)
:format(jpeg)/images/study_unit/cells-and-tissues-of-human-body/U4v2any86ipKUymPPNblLg_Cells_and_tissues.png)
Related content
:format(jpeg)/images/article/cellular-organelles/YPFQDP4aMP9RH4TYp85YQ_Cell_membrane_V2.png)
:format(jpeg)/images/article/cytoplasm/ajTdaM2QEOPFYr77PBbQ_hQgf1IJFxQRJCCl8zBUg_cytoplasm.jpg)
Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!
