What Sets Organs Apart from Organelles?
A group of tissues makes up an Organ. The Organs are specialized to perform a specific function in the human body system. A human body consists of 78 internal Organs performing a specific function. The main Organs in the body are the Heart, Kidney, Liver, Brain, and Lung. The heart is the key component of the circulatory system and performs the function of pumping blood to various parts of the body. The kidney performs excretory functions by removing metabolic wastes and fluids from the body. The liver is the primary Organ for metabolism where various metabolic processes occur leading to the production of useful metabolites. The brain keeps the Organs systems coordinated. The lungs supply oxygen to the tissues and eliminate carbon dioxide from the body system.
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What is an Organelle?
An Organelle is a component of the cell. In single-celled Organisms like the bacteria, the Organelle is the functional analog.
In eukaryotic cells, the Organelles are found in the cytoplasm. The different cell Organelles present in the eukaryotic cell are the cell wall, nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, cell membrane, Golgi apparatus, ribosomes, flagella, vacuoles, centrioles, cilia, lysosomes, and, peroxisomes.
The prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound Organelles. The prokaryotic cell Organelles include nucleoid, cell membrane, cytoplasm, cell wall, ribosomes, and flagella.
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Each Organelle has a specific function to do.
Cell Wall and Cell Membrane – protection.
Mitochondria – energy production.
Nucleus – protein synthesis and stores hereditary information.
Flagella and Cilia – Movement.
Ribosomes – protein synthesis and transport.
Differentiate Between Organs and Organelles:
To Differentiate between Organ and Organelle, there are certain parameters that you must understand.
The Organs and the Organelles are entirely different but the Organ cannot perform any function in the absence of the cell Organelles.
The Organelles are the simplest form and form the basic level of Organization. The Organs having the same origin and function form an Organ system giving rise to higher levels of the Organization.
There are various parameters to consider to differentiate between an Organ and an Organelle. The table below depicts the differences between them both concerning various parameters.
Organ vs Organelle
Let’s differentiate the Organ and Organelle based on their functions happening in the entire body system.
Fun Facts
Some of the human body Organs in our body are hollow and are called Hollow Organs.
Example: stomach and heart.
In the body system, the large intestine is smaller than the small intestine. They are named conversely considering size as a parameter.
A few cell Organelles are large enough to resolve and are visible under the light microscope.
Example: Nucleus.
More About the Difference Between Organs and Organelles
This text made you understand the meanings of Organs and Organelles. It also made you understand the difference between both of them. It also gave some fun and very informative facts.
Students shall understand that understanding and comprehending are two different things. You might think that everything that you have studied was understandable but once you decide to check how much you have comprehended, you shall take up a self-assessment.
Based on these results, you would know the exact state of your preparations and this way, you can also prepare the next immediate plan of action.
Biology is a theoretical subject, it is difficult but at the same time, it's interesting. It includes theory, diagrams and also concepts. It needs lots of memorization and also some tips which would help you ace in the subject.
Below mentioned are some tricks that are very useful and also easy to blend up in your schedule.
Find Your ‘Why’
The first thing you need to do is ask yourself why before doing anything. You need to know why, you don't need to do anything for someone else, you just need to work because you want to do it. You need to understand the reason behind the work done. Think beyond any obvious reasons, take out time and find any 5 reasons. This would help you gain a better perspective and this would also fuel you to take action.
Don't Fear Your Boundaries
Never fear your boundaries, do all the things outside your comfort zone. There is a stretch outside your comfort zone but it is very exciting. The fastest growth happens when you stretch your limits and you make your development 10 times faster.
Have Alternative Wins For the Day
When you work outside your comfort zone you stretch your limits, you get good and bad, both kinds of days. Everybody loves good days but when it comes to bad one's disappointment plays a major role. You need to keep some things ready for you when you feel disappointed and unmotivated. If you like cooking, make a dish which you always wanted to eat or if you like to go to gym, make your personal best run or any other exercise which will make you happy.
Reinforce Your Progress
Once you are done with making your schedule and you have started following it, track it on an everyday basis and keep yourself motivated during this process. Keep crossing the days in the calendar and keep completing the goals per day. You will feel more motivated and also very satisfied. When you make your streaks for the day and keep doing all your work you tend to have more motivation and also it does make your brain work faster.
Play the Yet Game
Playing the yet game may help you keep your morales up. ‘Yet’ game is like when you do something, never say that you can't do it just say I have not done it yet. It is one of the most amazing exam tricks, it is very useful. For example, you are not good at maths so you should not say that you can't do maths you should rather say I am not good at maths yet. It is like a mental game, you are being honest in the present and also opening metal doors for the future.
Plan B
If you want to take off your pressure you just need to find out your plan B and also find out the reasons to be excited about it. Have an alternative goal in your mindset, don't just go for one thing, keep yourself open for opportunities. If you are feeling stressed by a single-minded long term goal you should add up your plan B.
FAQs on Difference Between Organs and Organelles in Biology
1. What is the main difference between an organ and an organelle?
The main difference lies in their scale and complexity. An organ is a large structure made of multiple tissues that work together to perform a specific function in an organism, such as the heart or lungs. In contrast, an organelle is a tiny, specialised structure found inside a single cell, like the nucleus, that performs a specific job to keep that cell functioning.
2. Which is bigger, an organ or an organelle?
An organ is much bigger. Organs are macroscopic, meaning they are visible to the naked eye. Organelles, on the other hand, are microscopic and can only be seen with a powerful microscope because they exist within the small confines of a cell.
3. Can you provide some examples of organs and organelles?
Certainly. Here are some common examples to clarify the difference:
- Examples of Organs: In animals, this includes the stomach, liver, brain, and skin. In plants, the roots, stem, and leaves are considered organs.
- Examples of Organelles: These are structures within a cell, such as the mitochondria (powerhouse), nucleus (control centre), ribosomes (protein factories), and chloroplasts (in plant cells for photosynthesis).
4. Are organelles just tiny versions of organs?
No, this is a common misconception. While both perform specific functions, an organ is a complex structure built from different types of tissues working in coordination. An organelle is a much simpler structure within a single cell, composed of macromolecules like proteins and lipids, not tissues. They operate on completely different biological levels.
5. How are organs and organelles similar in purpose?
Their main similarity is that both are specialised functional units. An organelle carries out a specific job to ensure the survival and function of its cell. Similarly, an organ performs a specific, larger-scale job to ensure the survival and function of the entire organism. Both represent a 'division of labour' within their respective systems.
6. How do organelles and organs fit into the hierarchy of a living being?
They are key levels in the biological organisation. The hierarchy goes like this: Organelles work inside a cell. Similar cells group together to form a tissue. Different tissues combine to form an organ. Organs work together in an organ system (like the digestive system), and all the systems together make up the complete organism.
7. Can you explain the relationship between organs and organelles using a simple analogy?
Think of an organism as a large city. A cell is like a single factory building in that city. The organelles are the specialised machines and workers inside that factory, each with a specific task. An organ, then, would be like an entire industrial park—a collection of many similar factories (cells) working together to perform a major function for the city, like generating power or managing waste.
