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- Lesson 3 Cell Organelles: Mitochondria, Plastids and Endoplasmic Reticulum
Lesson 3 Cell Organelles: Mitochondria, Plastids and Endoplasmic Reticulum
Cell Organelles:
a) Mitochondria (Mitochondrion):
Its shape is variable and the size range from 2-6 micrometer. It is double membrane structure. Its outer membrane is smooth and regular. Its inner membrane gives finger like projections towards inner side called cristae. The surface of the cristae contains number of stalked and globular proteins called oxysomes. The cavity bounded by membrane is filled with a liquid mass called matrix. The matrix contains DNA RNA, inorganic and organic molecules. The mitochondria have its own DNA so it expresses its nature and characters own self. It is distributed in the cytoplasm.
Function of mitochondria:
It stores various types of enzymes used in aerobic respiration.
It releases energy during oxidation of food material in aerobic respiration and
stores energy in the form of ATPs so it is considered as the powerhouse of the
cell. It can synthesize some proteins and it is carrier of genetic material.
b) Plastids
Plastids are photosynthetic pigments containing bodies found in
the cytoplasm of plant cell. There are three types of plastids
- Chloroplasts: Plastids,
which contain green colored photosynthetic pigments, are called
chloroplast. It is double membraned. A kind of fluid is enclosed by
membrane is called stroma. In the stroma number of sac like membranes
found called thyllakoid or lamellae. The group of thyllakoid is called
granum. The thyllakoid that connects one granum to another granum is
called fret. The stroma also caontains DNA RNA and other organic and
inorganic substances.
Function of chloroplast:
The main function of chloroplast is
photosynthesis. The green colored pigments, the chlorophylls traps solar
energy and the energy is then converted into chemical energy C6H12O6 with
the combination of CO2 and H2O. It is also carrier of genetic materials,
as it possesses its own DNA.
- Chromoplast: The plastid,
which contains colored photosynthetic pigment other than green, is called
chromoplast. Yellow coloured pigments are called Xanthophylls. Orange
colored pigments is called Carotenes Red colored pigments are called
Erythrocyanine and blue colored pigments are called Phycocyanine. The
chromoplasts are also doubling membrane. In the stroma grana are absent
and the thyllakoids are found degenerating. They are present in colored
parts of the plant body. Their main function is to make colorful the body
parts like colorful parts of the flower attracts insects.
- Leucoplast: The plastids
which contain colorless pigments are called leucoplast. It is doubling
membrane. The grana are absent. Developing thyllakoids are present in the
stroma. In presence of light the leucoplast changes into chloroplast. The
main function of the leucoplast is to store food materials. It is present
in the stem and root. The leucoplast which store starch is called
amyloplast, which stores oil, is called elaioplast and which stores
protein called aleuroplast.
c) Endoplasmic Reticulum:
It is the network of
tube-like structures and sac like structures. It arises from nuclear membrane
and extends up to cell membrane. The endoplasmic reticulum is formed by three
structures.
- Cisternae: They are
long elongated flattened unbranched sac like structures lie parallel to
each other.
- Vesicles: They are
minute spherical or oval sac like structures
- Tubules: They are
branched tube like structures they form net work with cisternae and
vesicles.
Function
of Endoplasmic Reticulum:
It provides mechanical support to the cell. Therefore, it is
also known as cytoskeleton. It synthesizes proteins and hormones. It helps to
transport ions, molecules and impulse or metabolites. It forms nuclear
membrane. It also forms new cell membrane and components.
There are
two types of Endoplasmic Reticulum:
Rough ER |
Smooth ER |
It bears ribosomes on its
surface. It is found near nuclear
membrane It is formed by nuclear membrane In it mainly cisternae are found. |
It bears no ribosomes. It is found near cell membrane
It is formed by rough ER. In it mainly tubules are found. |
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