Describe the structure, function, and properties of the major cellularorganelles.Plasma MembraneThe plasma membrane is also termed as a Cell Membrane or Cytoplasmic Membrane. It is aselectively permeable membrane of the cells, which is composed of a lipid bilayer and proteins.The plasma membrane is present both in plant and animal cells. It functions as theselectively permeable membrane, by permitting the entry of selective materials in and out of the cellaccording to the requirement. In an animal cell, the cell membrane functions by providing shape andprotects the inner contents of the cell. Based on the structure of the plasma membrane, it isregarded as the fluid mosaic model. According to the fluid mosaic model, the plasma membranesare subcellular structures, made of a lipid bilayer in which the protein molecules are embedded.Also refer to theDifference Between Cell Membrane and Plasma MembraneCytoplasmThe cytoplasm is present both in plant and animal cells. They are jelly-like substances, foundbetween the cell membrane and nucleus. They are mainly composed of water, organic andinorganic compounds. The cytoplasm is one of the essential components of the cell, where all thecell organelles are embedded. These cell organelles contain enzymes, mainly responsible forcontrolling all metabolic activity taking place within the cell and are the site for most of the chemicalreactions within a cell.NucleusThe nucleus is a double-membraned organelle found in all eukaryotic cells. It is thelargest organelle, which functions as the control centre of the cellular activities and isthe storehouse of the cell’s DNA. By structure, the nucleus is dark, round, surrounded bya nuclear membrane. It is a porous membrane (like cell membrane) and forms a wallbetween cytoplasm and nucleus. Within the nucleus, there are tiny spherical bodiescalled nucleolus. It also carries an essential structure called chromosomes.Chromosomes are thin and thread-like structures which carry another importantstructure called a gene. Genes are a hereditary unit in organisms i.e., it helps in theinheritance of traits from one generation (parents) to another (offspring). Hence, thenucleus controls the characters and functions of cells in our body. The primary functionof the nucleus is to monitor cellular activities includingmetabolismand growth bymaking use of DNA’s genetic information. Nucleoli in the nucleus are responsible for thesynthesis of protein and RNA.Also read about theNucleusEndoplasmic Reticulum
