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organelle

organelle

3 5.6
A small part inside a cell that has one job
  • noun
  • /ɔrˈɡænɛl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : orgánulo
  • Studies of mitochondria reveal substantial deletions of DNA with aging, suggesting that these organelles may be disproportionately affected by aging.
  • cellular organelles
  • organelles include lysosomes
  • organelles include mitochondria

Some other eukaryotes like us have another type of organelle called mitochondria.

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Examples

  • (Mitochondria are the microscopic organelles that provide energy to our cells.)

    Academic text (2006)
  • Thus, molecules combine to form organelles, which in turn combine to form cells.

    Academic text (1993)
  • As a major target organelle of radiation, ER is highly sensitive to changes in the internal environment.

    Academic text (2018)
  • This second genome belongs to our mitochondria, an organelle inside our cells.

  • Some other eukaryotes like us have another type of organelle called mitochondria.

  • Now we do our burning in these little organelles inside each of our cells called mitochondria.

  • The secret to its movement is cilia, those microscopic hairlike organelles that fringe paramecia to help them wiggle through water.

    Academic text (2009)
  • Mitochondria are an essential organelle in cells, responsible for producing energy that fuels various cellular processes.

  • The nucleus is a key organelle that controls many cell activities, including growth and reproduction.

  • Chloroplasts are a type of organelle found in plant cells, where they convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.

Synonyms

vacuole
vsorganelle
  • Specialized
6 8.2

A small space inside a cell that holds water or other materials

is the general name for many different internal cell parts
lysosome
vsorganelle
  • Specialized
1 7.5

A small part of a cell that contains digestive enzymes to break down waste

covers many structures not only those used for digestion
mitochondrion
vsorganelle
  • Specialized
1 6.7

A small part inside cells that makes energy for the cell

is the broader name for different specialized cellular structures
cell organelle
vsorganelle
  • Specialized
4.5

A small part inside a cell that has one job, for example making energy

is the shorter general term for that structure
cell organ
vsorganelle
  • Specialized
4.0

A part inside a cell that does a specific job, like making energy

is the common shorter name for that cellular part
microbody
vsorganelle
  • Specialized
8.0

A small part inside a cell with a thin cover that does a special job

is a broader term not limited to very small membrane structures
chondriosome
vsorganelle
  • Archaic
9.9

A small part inside a cell that makes energy for the cell

is the general term covering many kinds of cellular structures

Compounds

cell organelle
  • Specialized
4.5

A small part inside a cell that has one job, for example making energy

How Big

organism
229 3.5
organ
473 2.6
tissue
  • Specialized
470 3.2
cell
  • Specialized
917 2.1
organelle
  • Specialized
3 5.6
molecule
  • Specialized
209 3.4

Surface Forms

organelle singular
organelles plural

Morphology

organelle = organ (transparent) = organ + elle

The meaning 'small organ-like structure' is directly inferable from 'organ' plus the diminutive suffix '-elle', so learners who know 'organ' can deduce the word.

Etymology

Organelle comes from organ, a body part or musical instrument, plus the ending -elle, which means 'small'. So an organelle is like a 'small organ' inside a cell, which is why each one has a special job.