api: YAML JSON TOON Database
version: 1.0.0
format: yaml
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:
    - You need an organelle's role and the processes it hosts.
    - You are comparing animal and plant cell structures.
  caveats:
    - "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:
    - genetics-fundamentals
    - human-body-systems
    - evolution-mechanisms
  entry_count: 12
  fields:
    - section: organelles
      field: name
      type: string
      example: Nucleus
    - section: organelles
      field: function
      type: string
      example: Stores genetic material (DNA); site of transcri…
    - section: organelles
      field: structure
      type: string
      example: Double membrane (nuclear envelope) with nuclear…
    - section: organelles
      field: key_processes
      type: array
      example: "[3 items]"
  category: Biology
  category_slug: biology
  tags: biology,cell-biology,organelles,eukaryotic,mitochondria,nucleus,cell-membrane
  view_count: 42
  created_at: 1778695229
  updated_at: 1778695229
data:
  organelles:
    - 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:
        - 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:
        - 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:
        - 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:
        - 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:
        - 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:
        - 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:
        - 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:
        - 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:
        - 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:
        - 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:
        - 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:
        - Structural support
        - Resistance to osmotic pressure
        - Cell-to-cell adhesion in plant tissue