Organelles are tiny structures with very specific functions found within the confines of a single cell. The term “organelle” is a reference to the larger organs of the body, with the idea being that organelles are to cells as organs are to the body. A number of different organelles can be found inside the cells of various animals, and a discussion of these interesting microscopic features is often included in introductory biology classes. Understanding the complex functioning of the organelles is also critical to mastering the study of molecular and cell biology.

Originally, researchers thought that organelles could only be found inside the complex cells of eukaryotic organisms. Later, research suggested that some eukaryotic organisms may have them as well, although their organelles are slightly different. In both cases, the goal of these small cell components is to process energy and waste materials, trigger various activities within the cell, and monitor cell division and other events. These structures have evolved over time to serve specific functions which will further the life of the host organism.

Some common examples include: Golgi apparati, lysosomes, nuclei, mitochondria, vacuoles, chloroplasts, and the endoplasmic reticulum. The structures do everything from transporting energy around in the cell to replicating DNA in cell division, with each discrete task being critical to the function of the cell and the health of the larger host organism. Chloroplasts, for example, help to create energy from sunlight for plants.

Each organelle is encased in its own envelope of material, to protect it and facilitate its function. Many of these structures communicate with each other, just as the organs of the body do. For instance, the endoplastic reticulum connects to the Golgi apparatus to pass along useful material. Together, the organelles work to keep the cell running smoothly. When cell death eventually occurs, the organelles fail, and the components of the cell are recycled in the body or extruded as waste, depending on the circumstances.

Just as the larger organs can be affected by health problems, individual organelles can also be subject to medical conditions and congenital disorders. A large family of disorders known as mitochondrial disorders, for example, can cause everything from digestive problems to blindness, depending on the specific nature of the disorder that a patient is afflicted with. These conditions can be difficult to treat, as they usually involve congenital defects which cause damage to all of the organelles involved across a given cell type.