The organelles within a cell generally include the nucleus, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, cell membrane and cell wall. Also included are cytoskelteon, cytoplasm, Golgi apparatus, chloroplasts, and mitochondria; and also vacuoles, vesicles and lysosomes. Plants and animal cells are slightly different, with animal cells never containing chloroplasts or cell walls.
Every organelle within a cell has a different function. A nucleus is the activity center of the cell and controls all of the other functions. Ribosomes produce proteins, and the endoplasmic reticulum is the transporter of materials through the cell. The cell membrane maitains homeostasis within a cell and provides protection and support. The cytoskeleton is simply the framework of the cell, and the cytoplasm's function is to protect the other organelles.
The Golgi apparatus works with the endoplasmic reticulum to provide the correct materials to the other organelles. Mitochondria hosts as process known as cellular respiration. This process produces ATP, which is the energy that the cell needs to survive. Lysosomes digest old and dying cell parts, and breaks down molecules into smaller pieces. Vacuoles and vesicles provide food storage within the cell.
Most organelles appear in both cells. However, in plant cells only, a cell wall provides support and protection, and a chloroplast uses the sun's light to create energy in the form of food for the plant.
