Why proteins and DNA aren't organelles?

In summary: Regards,BuzzHi Rafa:Do you know whether or not the people who classify ribosomes as organelles also classify chromosomes similarly, since chromosomes are more visible in electron micrographs than ribosomes?Regards,BuzzI have not seen chromosomes classified as organelles (for example, Wikipedia lists ribosomes among the structures considered organelles, but does not list chromosomes). This may be because compacted chromosomes are not constitutively present throughout the cell...they are only present during mitosis and meiosis.
  • #1
icakeov
379
27
Hi, when I look up organelles listed, DNA and proteins are not in that list. How come?
Aren't they "specialized subunit within a cell that have specific functions" too?

Then I see ribosome made it to the list. Why is that protein more special than others? Why not put RNA Polymerase in there? That one makes the ribosome! :)
 
Last edited:
Biology news on Phys.org
  • #2
Hi ikakeov:
I am not an expert in this field, but I think I may be able to offer some help.

An organelle is an organization of multiple components, not a single molecule. The combination can perform functions that the components alone cannot.

That is my interpretation of the definitions below.
A differentiated structure within a cell, such as a mitochondrion, vacuole, or chloroplast, that performs a specific function.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/organelle

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Buzz.
 
  • Like
Likes icakeov
  • #3
Buzz Bloom said:
Hi ikakeov:
I am not an expert in this field, but I think I may be able to offer some help.

An organelle is an organization of multiple components, not a single molecule. The combination can perform functions that the components alone cannot.

That is my interpretation of the definitions below.
A differentiated structure within a cell, such as a mitochondrion, vacuole, or chloroplast, that performs a specific function.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/organelle

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Buzz.
I agree with that statement. I interprete organelle as the organ of the cells, maybe the DNA and RNA is the part of the cells but it has nothing to than carry the template and transcript and translate it to form a new cells. When the organelle are needed for doing 3 major procesess (producing,transferring and secretion) so the ribosom is included for eucaryiot

Correct me if I'm wrong and sorry for bad grammar and language
 
  • Like
Likes icakeov
  • #4
Edit: @icakeov oops - noticed this: ribosomes are RNA structures, not protein.

Organelle is a definition. Definitions change when there is something to be gained, aside from additional confusion for everyone.
There is also an historical component to microscopy. Structures got named and defined long before anyone knew much about function.

As to your question: proteins are everywhere in a cell, most are not identifiable in the wild (i.e., floating around in the protoplasm). So you could literally have many thousands of them, sort of like "stealth organelles". It is a little like asking why aren't molecules organelles?

DNA is already part of an organelle - the nucleus. During mitosis it is what makes up part of a chromosome. Other molecules, like histones, are also bound to the DNA in the chromosome. In fact molecular binding to DNA is a large part of epigenetics, because changes to DNA by methylation, for example, "turns off" gene in in the section of the DNA affected.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetics
 
  • Like
Likes icakeov, BillTre and Buzz Bloom
  • #5
Rafa_El said:
so the ribosom is included for eucaryiot
Correct me if I'm wrong and sorry for bad grammar and language
Hi Rafa:
I think all you said is OK except for the ribosome. Ribosomes are not restricted to eucaryotes. All living cells have them. They are the agent that performs the translation of transfer RNA to make amino acid sequences which make proteins.

Regards,
Buzz
 
  • Like
Likes Rafa_El and icakeov
  • #6
Remember that organelle is a way for biologists to artificially categorize things inside the cell, and the decision to call something an organelle is to some extent arbitrary (similar to actual organs in the human body, where scientists can decide that a certain structure is actually an organ after all). There are many different definitions of organelle, and opinions may vary on what is or is not an organelle. For example, one of the major cell biology textbooks, Molecular Biology of the Cell, defines organelles as membrane-bound structures, which would exclude ribosomes. However, that definition would also exclude structures such as the nucleolus which also lack membranes.

Personally, I would not classify ribosomes as organelles, but I have definitely seen them described as such. My guess is that some people classify ribosomes as organelles because you can clearly see them in electron micrographs of the cell.
 
  • Like
Likes icakeov and BillTre
  • #7
Ygggdrasil said:
My guess is that some people classify ribosomes as organelles because you can clearly see them in electron micrographs of the cell.
Hi @Ygggdrasil:

Do you know whether or not the people who classify ribosomes as organelles also classify chromosomes similarly, since chromosomes are more visible in electron micrographs than ribosomes?

Regards,
Buzz
 
  • Like
Likes icakeov
  • #8
Thanks everyone for comments and corrections.
Sounds like the organelle classification challenge is somewhat similar to species classification challenge.
I am guessing the attempt originally stemmed from wanting to classify structures that are in "size"/"structure" on a level between the basic biomolecules and the cell itself?

p.s. New organ! Whohoo!
 
  • #9
Buzz Bloom said:
Do you know whether or not the people who classify ribosomes as organelles also classify chromosomes similarly, since chromosomes are more visible in electron micrographs than ribosomes?

I have not seen chromosomes classified as organelles (for example, Wikipedia lists ribosomes among the structures considered organelles, but does not list chromosomes). This may be because compacted chromosomes are not constitutively present throughout the cell cycle.
 
  • Like
Likes Buzz Bloom
  • #10
Does that mean that organelles are also classified based on whether they have a functional role during the cell cycle?
 
  • #11
icakeov said:
Does that mean that organelles are also classified based on whether they have a functional role during the cell cycle?
All organelles have a function, but having a function is not sufficient for being classified as an organelle. For example the fiber bundle within a nucleus that separates the two sets of chromosomes during mitotic cell division is not classified as a organelle. My guess is that this is because it is almost entirely one kind of molecule, so it does not qualify as an organization of different components. Also is is part of an organelle, rather than directly a distinct part of a cell.

Regards,
Buzz
 
  • Like
Likes Rafa_El and icakeov
  • #12
icakeov said:
Does that mean that organelles are also classified based on whether they have a functional role during the cell cycle?

No, I was just saying that because mitotic chromosomes exist only during a small fraction of the cell cycle, so if you were to look at a field of cells, very few would show the presence of mitotic chromosomes (cells spend most of their time in interphase). Note: the nucleus disassembles during mitosis, so it is also not present constitutively. Of course, since cells spend most of their time in interphase, cells will have a nucleus for the majority of their existence.
 
  • Like
Likes icakeov
  • #13
Understood! Thanks :)
 

1. Why are proteins and DNA not considered organelles?

Proteins and DNA are not considered organelles because they do not possess the characteristics of organelles, such as a membrane-bound structure and a specific function within the cell. Instead, they are considered macromolecules essential for cellular function.

2. What is the main difference between organelles and proteins/DNA?

The main difference between organelles and proteins/DNA is that organelles are structures within a cell that have a specific function, while proteins and DNA are molecules that perform various functions within the cell.

3. Can proteins or DNA become organelles?

No, proteins and DNA cannot become organelles. Organelles are formed during the development of a cell and have a specific structure and function. Proteins and DNA, on the other hand, are molecules that are produced and utilized by the cell for various functions.

4. Why are proteins and DNA crucial for cellular function?

Proteins and DNA are crucial for cellular function because they play essential roles in processes such as cell growth, metabolism, and DNA replication. Proteins also act as enzymes and facilitate chemical reactions within the cell, while DNA contains the genetic information necessary for the cell's survival and reproduction.

5. How are proteins and DNA related to organelles?

Proteins and DNA are related to organelles in that they are both components of a cell. Organelles contain various proteins and DNA molecules that perform different functions, such as building and maintaining the structure of the organelle and carrying out specific cellular processes.

Similar threads

  • Biology and Medical
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
653
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • General Discussion
Replies
14
Views
1K
  • Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
2K
Back
Top