organelles

"Cells have many structures inside of them called organelles. These organelles are like the organs in a human and they help the cell stay alive. Each organelle has it's own specific function to help the cell survive. The nucleus of a eukaryotic cell directs the cell's activities and stores DNA. Eukaryotes also have a golgi apparatus that packages and distributes proteins. Mitochondria are the power house of the cell and provide the cell with energy. Both plant and animal cells have mitochondria. Lysosomes are like the stomach of the cell. They contain enzymes that digest the cell's used parts. All of the cell's organelles must work together to keep the cell healthy."

"Organelles are like intracellular "specialty shops." Each is a separate internal compartment that contains a specific set of chemicals for carrying out a particular cellular function."

"Organelles are like isolated
test tubes Separate from
surrounding cytoplasm (cytosol)

Membranes regulate the flow of molecular traffic

Interior chemical environment
differs from cytoplasm [cytosol]
Organelles are like isolated
test tubes Unique mix of chemicals
(raw materials)

Unique set of enzymes
Specialized series of
chemical reactions"

"Organelles are like appliances or pieces of furniture that perform specific functions."

"Her department is working on intracellular transport. They are studying how molecules are transported into cells and how they move from organelle to organelle inside the cells. The different organelles are like small workshop artisans, each of whom has a special function. There is constant movement in a cell. Proteins and other molecules move constantly, not only inside a cell, but also from cell to cell via the vesicles."

"I researched how cells die when acid comes in contact with the cell membrane. I found that acid lowers the pH of the cytosol. Cytosol is the liquid of the cytoplasm, and the organelles make up the rest of the cytoplasm. So, cytoplasm is like Jell-O salad, where the organelles are like pieces of fruit, and the cytosol is the Jell-O itself. The acid causes the proteins in the cell membrane to open up, or "unfold," which means they fall out of their usual coiled shape – like a spring that is losing its shape. This process is called denaturation."