The rough ER, which is covered by ribosomes on its outer surface, functions in protein processing. The smooth ER is not associated with ribosomes and is involved in lipid, rather than protein, metabolism.

nucleoli

Cells that specialize in protein secretion contain large amounts of rough endoplasmic reticulum. For instance, cells of the pancreas that produce the protein insulin, have abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Rough ER (RER) was also mentioned in the section on ribosomes and is very important in the synthesis and packaging of proteins. As the ribosome builds the amino acid chain, the chain is pushed into the cisternal space of the RER. When the proteins are complete, they collect and the RER pinches off a vesicle.

The primary role of the Golgi apparatus is to modify the proteins and encase them into vesicles. From here they are transported to the various parts of the cell. Hence the three cell organelles are related in their functions of protein synthesis and transport.

Mitochondria (singular mitochondrion) are the powerhouses of the cell, acting like batteries, providing the energy organisms need to survive. No matter where mitochondrial proteins are made, they are synthesized on ribosomes that translate messenger RNA into the amino acids that form the protein chain.

Thus, in addition to proteins, mitochondria must also transport small metabolites across their membranes. While the outer membrane contains porins that make the membrane freely permeable to small molecules, the inner membrane does not.

Ribosomes

IMM-associated proteins

• NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone)
• Electron-transferring-flavoprotein dehydrogenase.
• Electron-transferring flavoprotein.
• Succinate dehydrogenase.
• Alternative oxidase.
• Cytochrome bc1 complex.
• Cytochrome c.
• Cytochrome c oxidase.

A crista (/ˈkrɪstə/; plural cristae) is a fold in the inner membrane of a mitochondrion. The name is from the Latin for crest or plume, and it gives the inner membrane its characteristic wrinkled shape, providing a large amount of surface area for chemical reactions to occur on.

An analogy for mitochondria is that the mitochondria is like a power plant, because they both produce energy. The mitochondria uses glucose and oxygen to make ATP, or cellular energy. Power plants use chemical energy stored in coal and transform it into the electrical energy we use for our homes and buildings.

Usually, mitochondria are compared to power plants. They are the power plants of the cell because they generate most of the cell’s ATP energy, adenosine triphophsate. Mitochondria are also used for signaling, cellular differentiation, cell growth and cell death.

Golgi apparatus analogy: the Golgi apparatus is sometimes referred to as the packing plant or the post office of the cell because it receives molecules and makes changes to them then sorts and addresses those molecules for transport to other areas of the cell, just like a post office does with letters and packages.

Cells are Like Cars Cars need power to drive, and this happens when fuel, converts to energy in the engine, much like mitochondria creating ATP. In a cell, the endoplasmic reticulum helps with the transport of material through the cell; In a car, the fuel line provides fuel to the engine from the gas tank.

A Cell is Like A City! 1. Nucleus = City Hall: they are both the controlling forces in the cell/city. Cell Membrane = Police Officers: they both control what goes in and out of the cell/city. They also both protect and support what is inside.

Proteins are a class of macromolecules that perform a diverse range of functions for the cell. They help in metabolism by providing structural support and by acting as enzymes, carriers, or hormones. The building blocks of proteins (monomers) are amino acids.

The nucleus contains all of the genetic material in the cell like city hall protects all of the important documents in a city. The nucleolus organizes the cell’s activity just like a mayor does for a city. The nuclear membrane is like a cities border because they control what goes in and out.

The nucleolus can be compared to a factory because it’s main job is the production of ribosomes. Just like how a factory produces things. Ribosomes can be compared to a restaurant because food/proteins are made in the ribosomes, and they’re also made in a restaurant.