Difference between Organs and Organelles

Organs: A Descriptive View

The group of tissues forms a structurally functional that is efficient to carry a certain function inside the body. For example, the cells form tissues, and tissues lead to the building of the organs. So, organs are the largest unit in the human body that can adapt themselves to perform the vital functions of the body.

We all know that different organs present inside our body work differently, and their functions are unique. For example, the work of a kidney cannot be performed by the skin, and the stomach function cannot be performed by the liver.

Hence, organs have high specificity. However, no two organs perform the same function to the same extent. Although, for example, skin and kidneys both help in the removal of wastes, skin helps in removing excess sweat, and kidneys filter the whole blood in the body.

As we study the level of cellular organisation in an organism, it can be deduced those higher organisms possess organs as their structural units.

For example, Arthropods are classified as higher organisms with an organ level of organisation. They have Malpighian Tubules that help them in excreting out nitrogenous wastes. The same excretion function is carried out in the human body by a specialised organ known as the kidneys. The number of organs and their locations also vary distinctively in each organism. For example, Malpighian tubules in cockroaches are 150 in number, whereas higher animals and humans have a pair of kidneys.

Organs work simultaneously but one at each specific time. Some organs are important for the survival of the human body. Seventy-eight organs are found in the human body. The brain, heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs are essential for the living of the human body.

The brain is responsible for receiving the stimulus and acting accordingly. The human brain is highly complex and is the second most important organ. The heart is responsible for life. If the heart stops working, then all the organs would stop as it is responsible for carrying blood towards all the organs in the body. Kidneys are present in pairs and help in excusing the nitrogenous wastes in the body. The liver is responsible for the metabolism and breakdown of various metabolites like fats, lipids, etc. Lungs are essential for breathing. The

Few organs can regenerate themselves, like the liver. However, the liver has the highest regenerative potential. If a part of the liver is damaged, it can regenerate itself independently. Skin also has the power of regeneration, and in animals, like lizards, true regeneration is observed.

Organelles: A Descriptive view

Organelles are present in lower organisms, i.e., organisms having a simple organisation like single-celled bacteria. Since they have a simple level of cellular organisation, the organelles are present in place of organs. Their function is analogous to organs.

They are very small in size and reside inside the cell. As organisms are classified into prokaryotes and eukaryotes, the organelles are found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Eukaryotes have more organelles than prokaryotes. This is because organelles have an outer membrane in eukaryotes, whereas, in prokaryotes, the organelles don’t have any outer membrane.

Organelles like Golgi Bodies, Mitochondria, Peroxisomes, etc., are found in eukaryotic cells. On the other hand, organelles like Ribosomes are seen in prokaryotic cells.As organelles are found in cells, they are also known to be the subunits of the cells.

Plasma Membrane is the most common cell organelle found in the cell. Plasma Membrane is responsible for protecting the constituents of the cells. The plasma membrane also has permeability. Therefore, it is also responsible for the flow of metabolites from outside to inside in a cell.

Organelle like mitochondria finds an important place in the vital process of plants like Photosynthesis. Mitochondria, popularly referred to as the ‘ powerhouse of the cell’, helps provide energy to the cell.

Every organelle in the cell is specific and unique as they are structurally different.

Difference between Organs and Organelles

1. Due to organisation, organs are formed from a group of tissues, and organelles are formed from a group of cells.
2.  Organs are formed of two or more tissues, and organelles are made up of the same type of cells.
3. Organs are complex, but organelles are simple structures.
4. Organs are located in the body, and organelles are present intracellularly, i.e., within the cell.
5. As far as the size is concerned, organs are larger and are called macroscopic. Organelles are found inside the cell and are small in size. They are said to be microscopic.
6. As organs are found inside the body, they perform their functions. Organelles perform their function inside the cell.

Conclusion

Both organs and organelles are highly specific and are analogous to each other. They are needed in different organisms for carrying out specific functions. In both lower and higher organisms, organs and organelles carry the same functions, but their structures, size, and location vary.

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