Euraryotic Cells

Eukaryotic Cells

Eukaryotic cells are more structurally and functionally complex than their counterparts and make up all fungi, animals, plants and protists. Prokaryotes include the simplistic bacteria and archaea, together with viruses and other bits of genetic material, prokaryotes and eukaryotes make up all known life. A eukaryotic cell maybe an individual organism or a multicellular organism, it has a nucleus and sub compartments called organelles that carry out specialized reactions.

ORGANELLES

Organelles are particular membrane-bound structures found inside a eukaryotic cell, and have specific and fixed roles in numerous cellular routines. Organelles like cell wall and chloroplast are found only in plant cells and lysosomes and centrioles are generally found in animal cells.

1. NUCLEUS

The nucleus is found in the cytoplasm of a cell and is enclosed in the nuclear membrane called the nuclear envelope which is double layered and separates nuclear material from the cytoplasm. The envelope is connected to the endoplasmic reticulum and allows for the appropriate materials to enter and leave the area.

The nucleus is the brain of the cell directing activities and it contains genetic material called chromosomes made of DNA. The nucleus isolates the DNA from the cytoplasm and protects it from damage, it controls the growth and development of the cell, and it regulates the chemical and biological activities within the cell.

2. Mitochondria

Mitochondria are in both plants and animals, they are rod-shaped and enclosed within two membranes which are made of phospholipids and proteins. The area between the membranes is called the inter-membrane space and is the same composition as the cytoplasm of the cell. The outer membrane is smooth and is permeable to nutrient molecules, ions, ATP and ADP molecules. The inner membrane is more complex in structure and it is permeable only to oxygen, carbon dioxide and...