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Cell Organelle Tier List

October 30, 2024

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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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.

References:
  1. 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/
  2. 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
  3. Biology Online. (2023, May 29). Cytoskeleton. Biology Articles, Tutorials & Dictionary Online. https://www.biologyonline.com/dictionary/cytoskeleton
  4. British Society for Cell Biology. (n.d.). Centriole. British Society for Cell Biology. https://bscb.org/learning-resources/softcell-e-learning/centriole/
  5. BYJU’S. (2020, October 13). What are vacuoles? – definition, structure and functions. BYJU’S. https://byjus.com/biology/vacuoles/
  6. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2024, October 30). Cytoplasm. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/cytoplasm
  7. 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
  8. 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.
  9. Wayne, R. (2019). Plasma membrane. Plasma Membrane – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/plasma-membrane
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  Timothy Durham was convicted of rape when a test showed his DNA genotype matched the DNA recovered from the crime scene. Eye witnesses testified that Durham was in a different state at the time of the incident, but he wasn’t exonerated from his 3000 year sentence until follow up DNA analysis showed that the preliminary forensic analysis used in the trial was misinterpreted (Thomas et al.). DNA testing serves an invaluable part in our criminal justice system, but it comes with complications and bias that can lead to wrongful convictions and misinformed juries.  

Background:

Forensic genetics aims to identify the origin of a biological sample. It can be traced back to Karl Landsteiner who discovered human ABO blood groups. With blood groups, suspects could be eliminated based on their blood type. For example, if a suspect had type A blood and there was type B blood left at the scene by the perpetrator, the investigators could rule out the suspect. Unfortunately, the reverse didn’t work. If the suspect and perpetrator both had the same blood type, it can’t be concluded that the suspect was guilty. Blood identifiers evolved into 8 distinct categories which improved the ability to eliminate suspects, but could only conclude that (if the system matched) it might be the perpetrator or this person might be related to the perpetrator (Jobling and Gill). The field evolved in the 1980s with the discovery of Minisatellites, lines of repetitive DNA that don’t encode proteins. Minisatellite patterns in DNA create what we know today as the DNA fingerprint, and it has a much higher accuracy rate than previous methods (Augustyn et al.). Around the same time, a breakthrough for victims of sexual assault was discovered. In the case of assault, bodily fluids of both the victim and the assaulter can get mixed. A process called differential lysis was created which could selectively increase the concentration of sperm in a fluid sample thereby allowing for accurate DNA testing (Jobling and Gill). Forensics evolved to use single-locus probe testing after several years because of its ease of interpretation. It looked at specific minisatellites that had high variability between subjects. This was the first DNA-based method to be used in a criminal investigation. Two murder homicides from several years apart were connected using DNA evidence. The evidence was then used to exonerate an innocent man, and the guilty party was found when he tried to evade mandatory DNA testing for all men in the small town. His guilt was then reinforced when the DNA profiles matched, and he gave a confession (Jobling and Gill). Finding DNA at a crime scene doesn’t guarantee that you’ll find a murderer. There are issues with non-pure samples and limited samples that make DNA work difficult, and accreditation of facilities and new techniques and take time (Jobling and Gill).  

Subjectivity of DNA Interpretation:

In a 2009 publication, the National Academy of Science discusses the possibility for subjective influence in lab based forensics. The interpretation bias happens in complex cases where, for example, there could be a mixture of DNA. A study published in 2011 looked specifically at this issue. A gang rape happened in Georgia, and the mixture in DNA from the case was used to prosecute one suspect after another suspect took a plea bargain to testify against him. With DNA mixtures, there are three possible conclusions: suspect excluded, suspect cannot be excluded, and inconclusive. If the suspect is excluded, it means that there’s little to no possibility that his DNA is part of the sample. If the suspect cannot be excluded, it means that there’s a possibility that his DNA is part of the sample. In the trial, the DNA examiners who knew the context of the case concluded that the suspect being prosecuted could not be excluded. The 2011 study gave the DNA evidence from this case and the DNA profiles of the suspects to 17 forensic examiners. These examiners had no context of the case, and they all worked independently. Of the 17, only 1 came to the same conclusion (suspect cannot be excluded) as the examiners who knew the context of the case. Twelve of the 17 concluded that the suspect who was prosecuted and convicted had no relation to the DNA found in the sample. Not only does this show that subjectivity occurs due to the context of the case, but the 17 examiners came up with different findings based on their past experiences meaning that not all DNA analysis is objective. Some organizations like the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods say that quantitative statistical evidence should be presented with every categorical conclusion, but the US doesn’t require this (Dror and Hampikian).

False Positives:

There are two categories that cause wrongful identification in a DNA report: coincidental matches and false positives. Coincidental matches are DNA matches between two unrelated people. The probability of these matches is about 1 to 500,000 for white individuals and about 1 to 350,000 for black individuals. This small probability of coincidental matches makes people feel confident in DNA evidence. False positives, on the other hand, are matches between DNA and test DNA that result from issues in the forensics lab. There have been multiple cases of forensics labs accidentally switching victim and suspected rapist DNA which lead to convictions that were later overturned when the lab realized the error. There are also cases of misreading or misunderstanding a sample. In a case from 1993, a man was convicted of rape because someone interpreted a mixed sample of victim and perpetrator DNA as an individual sample. The conviction was again overturned. To prevent false convictions, retesting DNA is allowed, but it’s not an efficient solution. Many people are pushing for statistical information on the probability of false positives, so that the jurors can make accurate judgements based on DNA evidence (Thomas et al.).  

Conclusion:

DNA analysis is a useful tool for the criminal justice system, but subjectivity can be an issue in forensic testing. To combat wrongful convictions, there are organizations like The Innocence Project who use DNA testing to free the innocent, but reformed forensic testing standards should be put in place to prevent subjectivity and to ensure juries are correctly informed during trials. https://www.innocenceproject.org/    

Citation:

Augustyn , Adam, et al. “DNA Finerprinting.” Encyclopedia Britannica , 26 Apr. 2018, www.britannica.com/science/DNA-fingerprinting#ref153186. Dror, Itiel E., and Greg Hampikian. “Subjectivity and Bias in Forensic DNA Mixture Interpretation.” Science & Justice, vol. 51, no. 4, 2011, pp. 204–208., doi:10.1016/j.scijus.2011.08.004. Jobling, Mark A., and Peter Gill. “Encoded Evidence: DNA in Forensic Analysis.” Nature Reviews: Genetics, vol. 5, no. 10, Oct. 2004, pp. 739–751., doi:10.1038/nrg1455. Thompson, William C, et al. “How the Probability of a False Positive Affects the Value of DNA Evidence.” Journal of Forensic Sciences, vol. 48, no. 1, Jan. 2003, pp. 1–8., doi:10.1520/jfs2001171.