What is the Difference Between Membranous and Nonmembranous Organelles?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between membranous and non-membranous organelles lies in the presence or absence of a plasma membrane.
Membranous organelles possess their own plasma membrane, which creates a lumen separate from the cytoplasm. These organelles are involved in various cellular functions, such as hormone synthesis and degradation of macromolecules. Examples of membranous organelles include:
- Endoplasmic reticulum
- Golgi apparatus
- Mitochondria
- Peroxisomes
- Lysosomes
- Transport vesicles
Non-membranous organelles are not surrounded by a plasma membrane and are often part of the cytoskeleton, which is the major support structure of the cell. These organelles are involved in functions such as cell structure and movement. Examples of non-membranous organelles include:
- Ribosomes
- Microtubules
- Cytoskeleton (actin filaments, intermediate filaments, centrioles)
In summary, membranous organelles have a plasma membrane that separates their contents from the rest of the cell, while non-membranous organelles do not have a plasma membrane and are often part of the cell's cytoskeleton.
Comparative Table: Membranous vs Nonmembranous Organelles
Here is a table comparing the differences between membranous and nonmembranous organelles:
Feature | Membranous Organelles | Nonmembranous Organelles |
---|---|---|
Definition | Organelles surrounded by a membrane, creating a lumen separate from the cytoplasm. | Organelles not surrounded by a membrane. |
Examples | Nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, vesicles, peroxisome, lysosome, mitochondria, chloroplast, vacuole. | Cytoskeleton, ribosomes, cell wall, centrosome, centrioles. |
Presence | Found in eukaryotic cells. | Found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. |
Function | Membranous organelles often act as compartments for specific cellular processes, such as DNA synthesis, protein synthesis, and macromolecule degradation. | Nonmembranous organelles are often part of the cytoskeleton, providing structural support to the cell. |
Membranous organelles are present only in eukaryotic cells and have a membrane surrounding them, creating a separate lumen from the cytoplasm. On the other hand, nonmembranous organelles are present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and lack a surrounding membrane.
- Organ vs Organelle
- Organ vs Organelle
- Cell Membrane vs Cytoplasm
- Cell Organelles vs Cell Inclusions
- Cell Membrane vs Nuclear Membrane
- Cell Wall vs Cell Membrane
- Cell Wall vs Plasma Membrane
- Plant vs Animal Cells
- Mitochondria vs Plastids
- Mitochondria vs Chloroplast
- Tonoplast vs Plasma Membrane
- Vacuoles vs Vesicles
- Animal Cell vs Plant Cell
- Golgi Bodies vs Mitochondria
- Contractile vs Noncontractile Tissue
- Visceral vs Parietal Serous Membranes
- Lysosome vs Vacuole
- Granular vs Agranular Endoplasmic Reticulum
- Lysosomes vs Ribosomes