What Would We Expect to Find Inside of Our Cells?

Immersed in and bathed by the intracellular fluid are small compartments called organelles. The word organelle means “little organ.” Two of the more recognizable organelles are the nucleus and mitochondria. Other organelles include endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and peroxisomes (see Figure 2.1). The various organelles are little operation centers within cells. Each type of organelle performs a different and specialized job (Table 2.1). Each organelle has its own membrane with many similarities to the plasma membrane. Therefore, as we discuss the nature of the plasma membrane below you can keep in mind that some of these features also pertain to organelle membranes as well.

Cells contain special compartments called organelles, which have special functions to support total cell function. Also within the intracellular fluid of certain cells we would expect to find some energy reserves in the form of fat droplets and glycogen (carbohydrate) (see Figure 2.1). The amount of glycogen and fat will vary depending on the type of cell. Another important component of cells is ribosomes. Ribosomes are the actual site where proteins are constructed.