Organelle Picture
Organelle Name
Distinguishing features
Function
 Chloroplast
 Plants only
 Photosynthesis
takes place here.
 Contains
chlorophyll which
converts the suns
energy into
carbohydrates
(food).
 Mitochondria
 Plant and animal cell
 “Powerhouse” of
the cell.
 Makes all energy
(ATP) for the
cell/organism.
 Rough Endoplasmic
reticulum (RER)
 Studded with
ribosomes.
 Plasma membrane
network continuous
with the outer layer
of the nuclear
envelope
(membrane).
 Plant and animal cell
 Assembles
proteins released
from ribosomes.
 Transport of
newly synthesized
proteins within
network
 Vesicles break off
and travel from
here to Golgi
apparatus.
 Spherical organelles
in cytoplasm located
close to mitochondria
 Plant and animal cell

Contain a variety of
enzymes that break
down toxic
substances, in
particular hydrogen
peroxide
 Smooth Endoplasmic
Reticulum (SER)
 Interconnected with
RER
 Plant and animal cell
 Synthesis of
steroids and lipids
 Involved in
detoxification.
 Lysosomes
 Animal cells only
 Contain digestive
enzymes
 Breakdown of
large molecules
including invading
bacteria and
viruses
 Nucleolus
 Plant and animal cell
 Responsible for
ribosome
production.
Nucleus
 Contains Nucleolus
 Double membrane
known as nuclear
envelope
 Has pores that allow
ribosomes and RNA
to pass into the cell.
 Semi-permeable
membrane
 Contains DNA
 Plant and animal cell
 “Holding Tank”
for DNA
 Maintains DNA
 Site of RNA
transcription
 Golgi apparatus
(body)
 Vesicles bud off one
side of Golgi body.
 Plant and animal cell
 Responsible for
packaging and
distribution of
proteins either
within the cell or
vesicles fuse with
plasma
membrane and
release contents
out of the cell.
 Vesicles
 Plant and animal
cells
 Transport
materials within
cell.
Ribosomes
 Free floating
Or attached to
endoplasmic
reticulum
 Plant and animal cell
 Site of protein
synthesis
 Vacuole
 Can be large as seen
in plant cells or small
as seen in animal
cells
 Mostly for
storage (water,
molecules, ions)
Cell Wall
 Cell wall
 Cell membrane lies
just below cell wall.
 Plants only
 Surrounds cell
membrane of plant
cells
 Provides
structural support
and protection of
plant cells.
Cell membrane
 Cell or Plasma
membrane.
 Semi-permeable
 Has pores
 Proteins embedded
within membrane
and on top
 Carbohydrates also
embedded on surface
of membrane.
 Membrane is very
flexible and is also
known as a fluid
mosaic membrane.
 Plant and animal cell
 Semi-permeable
 Controls the flow
of substances in
and out of the
cell.