api: YAML JSON TOON Database
version: 1.0.0
format: toon
dataset:
  id: 2331
  slug: cell-biology-basics
  title: "Cell Biology: Organelles and Functions"
  description: "Eukaryotic cell organelles, their structures and functions: nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and cell membrane transport."
  summary: "The organelles of eukaryotic cells with their function, structure and key processes: nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, the cell membrane, ribosomes and the cytoskeleton, plus chloroplasts, peroxisomes, the central vacuole and the plant cell wall."
  use_when[2]: You need an organelle's role and the processes it hosts.,You are comparing animal and plant cell structures.
  caveats[2]: "Not every cell has every organelle: plant cells have chloroplasts and walls, animal cells do not, and mature red blood cells lack a nucleus.",Prokaryotic cells have no membrane-bound organelles; the entries describe eukaryotes.
  related[3]: genetics-fundamentals,human-body-systems,evolution-mechanisms
  entry_count: 12
  fields[4]{section,field,type,example}:
    organelles,name,string,Nucleus
    organelles,function,string,Stores genetic material (DNA); site of transcri…
    organelles,structure,string,Double membrane (nuclear envelope) with nuclear…
    organelles,key_processes,array,"[3 items]"
  category: Biology
  category_slug: biology
  tags: "biology,cell-biology,organelles,eukaryotic,mitochondria,nucleus,cell-membrane"
  view_count: 43
  created_at: 1778695229
  updated_at: 1778695229
data:
  organelles[12]:
    - name: Nucleus
      function: Stores genetic material (DNA); site of transcription and RNA processing
      structure: Double membrane (nuclear envelope) with nuclear pores; contains nucleolus
      key_processes[3]: DNA replication,Transcription,Ribosome subunit assembly in nucleolus
    - name: Mitochondria
      function: ATP production via oxidative phosphorylation; cellular respiration
      structure: Double membrane; inner membrane folded into cristae; contains own circular DNA
      key_processes[3]: Citric acid cycle (matrix),Electron transport chain (inner membrane),ATP synthesis
    - name: Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
      function: "Rough ER: protein synthesis and folding. Smooth ER: lipid synthesis, detoxification, calcium storage"
      structure: Network of membranous tubules and sacs; rough ER has ribosomes on surface
      key_processes[3]: Protein folding (rough ER),Lipid biosynthesis (smooth ER),Calcium homeostasis
    - name: Golgi Apparatus
      function: "Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for secretion or delivery to other organelles"
      structure: "Stack of flattened membrane-bound cisternae (cis, medial, trans faces)"
      key_processes[3]: Glycosylation,Protein sorting,Vesicle formation for secretion
    - name: Lysosomes
      function: "Intracellular digestion; break down waste materials, damaged organelles, and engulfed pathogens"
      structure: Membrane-bound vesicles containing ~60 hydrolytic enzymes (acid hydrolases)
      key_processes[3]: Autophagy,Phagocytosis,Programmed cell death (apoptosis)
    - name: Cell Membrane (Plasma Membrane)
      function: Selective barrier; regulates transport in/out of cell; cell signaling and adhesion
      structure: Phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins (fluid mosaic model); cholesterol for stability
      key_processes[4]: Passive diffusion,Active transport (pumps),Receptor-mediated signaling,Endocytosis/exocytosis
    - name: Ribosomes
      function: Protein synthesis (translation of mRNA into polypeptide chains)
      structure: "Two subunits (large + small); composed of rRNA and proteins; 80S in eukaryotes, 70S in prokaryotes"
      key_processes[2]: Translation,Co-translational translocation (to ER)
    - name: Cytoskeleton
      function: Maintains cell shape; enables cell movement; intracellular transport; cell division
      structure: "Microtubules (tubulin), microfilaments (actin), intermediate filaments"
      key_processes[3]: Mitosis/meiosis (spindle fibers),Muscle contraction (actin-myosin),Vesicle transport (kinesin/dynein on microtubules)
    - name: Chloroplasts
      function: "Photosynthesis: converting light energy into chemical energy stored in sugars"
      structure: Double membrane enclosing stacks of thylakoids (grana) in a fluid stroma; contain their own DNA and chlorophyll
      key_processes[3]: Light-dependent reactions (thylakoid membranes),Calvin cycle (stroma),Oxygen release from water splitting
    - name: Peroxisomes
      function: Break down fatty acids and detoxify harmful compounds using oxidative reactions
      structure: Single-membrane vesicles containing oxidative enzymes such as catalase
      key_processes[3]: Beta-oxidation of very long-chain fatty acids,Hydrogen peroxide breakdown by catalase,Detoxification in liver and kidney cells
    - name: Central Vacuole
      function: "Stores water, ions and waste, and maintains turgor pressure in plant cells"
      structure: Large membrane-bound sac (tonoplast) that can fill most of a mature plant cell
      key_processes[3]: Turgor pressure regulation,Storage of nutrients and pigments,Sequestering of toxic compounds
    - name: Cell Wall
      function: "Gives plant, fungal and bacterial cells shape and protection against bursting"
      structure: "Rigid layer outside the cell membrane; cellulose in plants, chitin in fungi, peptidoglycan in most bacteria"
      key_processes[3]: Structural support,Resistance to osmotic pressure,Cell-to-cell adhesion in plant tissue