List five organelles and explain their function. Include what type of cells they are found in (plant and/or animal).

Answer 1

1. Nucleus: The nucleus is the control center of the cell. It contains the cell's genetic material (DNA) and coordinates cell activities such as growth and reproduction. Nuclei are found in both plant and animal cells.

2. Chloroplasts: Chloroplasts are the organelles responsible for photosynthesis in plants. They contain chlorophyll, a pigment that captures sunlight energy and converts it into chemical energy. Chloroplasts are found only in plant cells.

3. Mitochondria: Mitochondria are responsible for cellular respiration, the process that converts nutrients into energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). They are often referred to as the "powerhouses" of the cell. Mitochondria are found in both plant and animal cells.

4. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER): The ER is a network of membranes that assists in the production, processing, and transport of proteins and lipids. There are two types of ER - rough ER, which is studded with ribosomes and involved in protein synthesis, and smooth ER, which lacks ribosomes and is involved in lipid metabolism and detoxification. ER is found in both plant and animal cells.

5. Golgi apparatus: The Golgi apparatus is responsible for sorting, modifying, and packaging proteins and lipids into vesicles for transport to their final destinations within the cell or for secretion outside the cell. It acts as a post office of sorts. Golgi apparatus is found in both plant and animal cells.