Cells, Cells, They’re Made of Organelles!
Remember that song from 7th grade? It’s stuck in my head, and I’m dragging you along for the ride. Today, I’m ranking organelles from most important to least (in my opinion), with tiers ranging from S (top) to D (bottom).
S TIER
- Nucleus
The nucleus is the cell’s brain—where all the critical decisions happen (well, metaphorically). It houses DNA, which contains the instructions for building and maintaining the organism. Without the nucleus, cells wouldn’t know what to do, and life as we know it would cease to exist.
Why it’s in this tier: It literally controls everything. Plus, mitosis? All nucleus. You and I would not be here if not for the nucleus.
Source: National Human Genome Research Institute
- Plasma Membrane
The unsung hero! The plasma membrane acts as the bodyguard of the cell, regulating what gets in and out. Its phospholipid bilayer—with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails—is a masterpiece of natural design. Me personally, I’d love to have a hydrophilic head. Well, I guess I do when it rains. Fun fact: genetics can determine the integrity and capacity to repair the plasma membrane if damaged is inflicted on such as muscle contraction, inflammation, etc(BMC Biology).Why it’s here: The plasma membrane is my intracellular bodyguard, I have no choice but to put it here.
Source: BMC Biology;Science Direct
A TIER
- Ribosome
Calling all Gym Bros, this one’s for you! They take mRNA instructions and churn out amino acids, which then turn into proteins—aka the building blocks of muscle, enzymes, and pretty much everything else. They’re attached to the endoplasmic reticulum, which we will discuss later, and there are many of them. According to Britannica Online, “A single actively replicating eukaryotic cell, for example, may contain as many as 10 million ribosomes”(2024).Why it’s here: No ribosomes = no protein = no gains. Ribosomes are very important, even if you don’t frequent the gym. A (Tier) for effort!
Source: Britannica
- Vacuole
In plant cells, the vacuole is like a storage locker, holding water, nutrients, and even waste. In animal cells, it’s smaller but still handy. It’s kind of like a trash can with multiple cans: trash, recycle, compost, save for later..? Substances enter the vacuole through endocytosis, and exit through exocytosis. Endo- meaning enter, Exo- meaning exit. In endocytosis, a vesicle(sac filled with water and whatever else is entering the vacuole) fuses to the membrane of the vacuole and then releases its contents inside. Exocytosis: the vesicle forms itself around the substance that needs to be exited and then fuses back to the membrane and releases the substance into the cytoplasm(Stillwell, 2016).
Why it’s here: It’s like a bubble of life, and trash. It’s cool, but not S Tier cool.
Source: Science Direct; BYJUs
B TIER
- Golgi Apparatus
The Golgi is like Amazon for the cell. It packages proteins and lipids from the ER, labels them, and ships them out. No Prime option here, unless you have some sort of genetic mutation. Maybe that’s how Quicksilver got so fast! They’re kind of shaped like stacked membranes, it kind of looks like a maze. Fun fact: The Golgi Apparatus is also known as the Golgi Body.
Why it’s here: They’re important for logistics so they get some recognition, but they’re not the most astounding organelle. B Tier.
Source: National Human Genome Research Institute
- Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
The ER is split into two teams, the Rough ER and the Smooth ER.Rough ER: ribosomes create proteins here. It’s called the rough ER because the ribosomes are actually attached to it. If you were to run your hand along it, it’d be a little bumpy. If proteins are made improperly, they stay within the ER. Sometimes it can get “constipated” if too many proteins stay within it and functioning is slow.Smooth ER: No bumps here. This is where lipids such as steroids are made. The smooth ER makes phospholipids, ya know, like the ones that make up the plasma membrane? And since the plasma membrane is in the S Tier, the smooth ER must be pretty important.
Why it’s here: Smooth ER: super cool! Rough ER: has flaws. The compromise: B Tier. Also, the name’s kinda long.
Source: National Human Genome Research Institute
- Cytoskeleton
Gives the cell structure and helping with transport and movement. The backbone of the cell. It’s “composed of protein filaments and microtubules in the cytoplasm, and has a role in controlling cell shape, maintaining intracellular organization, and in cell movement”(Biology Online). It extends from the nucleus to the plasma membrane.
Why it’s here: It’s pretty important, but I had a traumatic high school project on it back in the day. B Tier, that’s all I can do.
Source: Biology Online
C TIER
- Mitochondria
Okay okay I get it, it’s the powerhouse of the cell. But the mitochondrion(single) is so overused and overhyped. It converts glucose(sugar) to ATP(energy). This is the reason for sugar rushes! The mitochondrion has a lot of moving parts, all of which are too complex in my humble opinion. The process of cellular respiration, the intake of oxygen and the output of carbon dioxide, takes place in the mitochondrion. The Mitochondrion has its own DNA, and its own ribosomes. Drama queen. Prokaryotes, organisms like bacteria, don’t have mitochondria. They don’t even have a nucleus.
Why it’s here: Overhyped. Sick of hearing it. Pick another organelle! Please.
Source: Biology Online
- Centrioles
Essential for cell division, they help organize the microtubules that pull chromosomes apart during mitosis and meiosis. They kind of look like churros if you ask me.
Why it’s here: They’re important, but not exciting.
Source: British Society for Cell Biology
- Lysosome
The cell’s janitor, breaking down waste and worn-out organelles. They contain digestive enzymes, specifically hydrolase. An enzyme that breaks down bonds using water. Lysosomes aid with phagocytosis, the destruction of pathogens. Vesicles take in the pathogen and then fuse with a lysosome, which then destroys it.
Why it’s here: Just not as good as the previous ones really.
Source: LibreTexts Biology
- Cell Wall
This organelle is only in plants. Provides rigidity and protection, but as someone who’s not a plant, I’m indifferent. However, what’s cool is that that the cell wall is the reason veggies are crunchy! You eat cell walls every day and you don’t even know it. The cell wall is made of cellulose(a large chain of polysaccharides) and peptidoglycan(made up of other sugars).
Why it’s here: Thanks for the oxygen, but I don’t need cellulose.
Source: LibreTexts Biology
D TIER
- Peroxisome
The last “-some”. This organelle handles oxidative reactions and detoxification processes(Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, et al., 2002). It’s made up of small vesicles It’s probably working hard, but I barely notice it. I honestly didn’t know what is was until recently.
Why it’s here: Reminds me of hydrogen peroxide. Wait…
Source: National Library of Medicine
- Cytoplasm
It’s the goo(semifluid substance) that holds everything in place. External to the nuclear membrane, internal to the cellular membrane. Functional? Yes. Exciting? No. It reminds me of Jell-o. What flavor? Cellular.
Why it’s here: Not a fan of Jell-o.
Source: Britannica
Final Thoughts
All of these organelles are vital in cellular function, even if they’re not cool like the nucleus. Remember all of these organelles are working simultaneously to keep cells functioning, and to help replicate and divide.
- Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 4th edition. New York: Garland Science; 2002. Peroxisomes. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26858/
- Ammendolia, D.A., Bement, W.M. & Brumell, J.H. Plasma membrane integrity: implications for health and disease. BMC Biol 19, 71 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-021-00972-y
- Biology Online. (2023, May 29). Cytoskeleton. Biology Articles, Tutorials & Dictionary Online. https://www.biologyonline.com/dictionary/cytoskeleton
- British Society for Cell Biology. (n.d.). Centriole. British Society for Cell Biology. https://bscb.org/learning-resources/softcell-e-learning/centriole/
- BYJU’S. (2020, October 13). What are vacuoles? – definition, structure and functions. BYJU’S. https://byjus.com/biology/vacuoles/
- Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2024, October 30). Cytoplasm. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/cytoplasm
- Libretexts. (2024, November 23). Lysosomes. Biology LibreTexts. https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Microbiology/Microbiology_(Boundless)/04%3A_Cell_Structure_of_Bacteria_Archaea_and_Eukaryotes/4.08%3A_Other_Eukaryotic_Components/4.8B%3A_Lysosomes
- National Human Genome Research Institute. (2024). Nucleus. Genome.gov. https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Nucleus#:~:text=A%20nucleus%2C%20as%20related%20to,and%20out%20of%20the%20nucleus.
- Wayne, R. (2019). Plasma membrane. Plasma Membrane – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/plasma-membrane