Organ vs. Organelle — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 8, 2024
An organ is a group of tissues forming a structural and functional unit in organisms, like the liver in humans, while an organelle is a specialized subunit within a cell, like the mitochondrion, performing specific tasks.
Difference Between Organ and Organelle
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An organ is a structure made up of various tissue types working together to perform distinct functions in multicellular organisms. The heart, lungs, and kidneys are key examples, each vital for complex bodily functions.
An organelle, on the other hand, is a specialized subcellular component that plays a specific role within a cell. Organelles include mitochondria, which generate energy, and the Golgi apparatus, which processes proteins.
Organs are visible to the naked eye and are part of larger systems like the digestive or respiratory systems, whereas organelles require microscopes for viewing since they exist within individual cells.
Organs contribute to systemic functions, working in coordination with other organs, whereas organelles contribute to cellular functions, ensuring that each cell operates efficiently.
Organs can regenerate or repair themselves to some extent, such as the liver, while organelles, once damaged or dysfunctional, often rely on cellular machinery to remove and replace them.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Structural unit of tissues
Functional subunit of a cell
Size
Macroscopic
Microscopic
Visibility
Visible to naked eye
Requires microscope
Composition
Multiple tissue types
Membrane-bound or non-membrane
Example
Heart, lungs, liver
Mitochondrion, Golgi apparatus
Compare with Definitions
Organ
A structural body part made of different tissues.
The heart is an organ that pumps blood throughout the body.
Organelle
A distinct intracellular component with specific duties.
Chloroplasts are organelles in plant cells that enable photosynthesis.
Organ
A distinct unit in an organism performing a specific function.
The lungs are respiratory organs crucial for breathing.
Organelle
A membrane-bound unit performing a cellular function.
The Golgi apparatus is an organelle that modifies proteins.
Organ
A macroscopic structure that is vital for life processes.
The liver is an organ that detoxifies the blood.
Organelle
A specialized structure within a cell.
Mitochondria are organelles that produce energy for cells.
Organ
A collection of tissues working together for a purpose.
The kidney is an organ involved in waste filtration.
Organelle
A vital structure enabling cells to function optimally.
The nucleus is an organelle that houses the cell’s genetic material.
Organ
An anatomical unit with a specific role in body systems.
The stomach is an organ aiding in digestion.
Organelle
A microscopic subunit involved in metabolic activities.
Lysosomes are organelles that digest cellular waste.
Organ
A part of an organism which is typically self-contained and has a specific vital function
The internal organs
Organelle
In cell biology, an organelle is a specialized subunit, usually within a cell, that has a specific function. The name organelle comes from the idea that these structures are parts of cells, as organs are to the body, hence organelle, the suffix -elle being a diminutive.
Organ
A large musical instrument having rows of pipes supplied with air from bellows (now usually electrically powered), and played using a keyboard or by an automatic mechanism. The pipes are generally arranged in ranks of a particular type, each controlled by a stop, and often into larger sets linked to separate keyboards.
Organelle
A differentiated structure within a cell, such as a mitochondrion, vacuole, or chloroplast, that performs a specific function.
Organ
A department or organization that performs a specified function
The organs of local government
Organelle
(cytology) A specialized structure found inside cells that carries out a specific life process (e.g. ribosomes, vacuoles).
Organ
An instrument consisting of a number of pipes that sound tones when supplied with air and a keyboard that operates a mechanism controlling the flow of air to the pipes. Also called pipe organ.
Organelle
A specialized part of a cell performing a specific function, usually visible under the microscope as a distinct object; it is analogous to an organ{2}, but on a microscopic scale.
Organ
Any one of various other instruments, such as the electronic organ, that resemble a pipe organ either in mechanism or sound.
Organelle
A specialized part of a cell; analogous to an organ;
The first organelle to be identified was the nucleus
Organ
(Biology) A differentiated part of an organism, such as an eye, wing, or leaf, that performs a specific function.
Organ
An instrument or agency dedicated to the performance of specified functions
The FBI is an organ of the Justice Department.
Organ
An instrument or means of communication, especially a periodical issued by a political party, business firm, or other group.
Organ
The larger part of an organism, composed of tissues that perform similar functions.
Bodily organs
Vital organ
Organ
(by extension) A body of an organization dedicated to the performing of certain functions.
Organ
(musical instruments) A musical instrument that has multiple pipes which play when a key is pressed (the pipe organ), or an electronic instrument designed to replicate such.
Organ
An official magazine, newsletter, or similar publication of an organization.
Organ
A government organization; agency; authority.
Organ
(slang) The penis.
Organ
An Asian form of mitrailleuse.
Organ
To supply with an organ or organs; to fit with organs.
Organ
An instrument or medium by which some important action is performed, or an important end accomplished; as, legislatures, courts, armies, taxgatherers, etc., are organs of government.
Organ
A natural part or structure in an animal or a plant, capable of performing some special action (termed its function), which is essential to the life or well-being of the whole; as, the heart, lungs, etc., are organs of animals; the root, stem, foliage, etc., are organs of plants.
Organ
A component part performing an essential office in the working of any complex machine; as, the cylinder, valves, crank, etc., are organs of the steam engine.
Organ
A medium of communication between one person or body and another; as, the secretary of state is the organ of communication between the government and a foreign power; a newspaper is the organ of its editor, or of a party, sect, etc. A newsletter distributed within an organization is often called its house organ.
Organ
A wind instrument containing numerous pipes of various dimensions and kinds, which are filled with wind from a bellows, and played upon by means of keys similar to those of a piano, and sometimes by foot keys or pedals; - formerly used in the plural, each pipe being considered an organ.
The deep, majestic, solemn organs blow.
The merry orgon . . . that in the church goon [go].
Organ
To supply with an organ or organs; to fit with organs; to organize.
Thou art elemented and organed for other apprehensions.
Organ
A fully differentiated structural and functional unit in an animal that is specialized for some particular function
Organ
A government agency or instrument devoted to the performance of some specific function;
The Census Bureau is an organ of the Commerce Department
Organ
(music) an electronic simulation of a pipe organ
Organ
A periodical that is published by a special interest group;
The organ of the communist party
Organ
Wind instrument whose sound is produced by means of pipes arranged in sets supplied with air from a bellows and controlled from a large complex musical keyboard
Organ
A free-reed instrument in which air is forced through the reeds by bellows
Common Curiosities
Is the brain considered an organ or organelle?
The brain is an organ because it’s made of various tissues working together to control bodily functions.
Are organs composed of one type of tissue?
No, organs consist of multiple tissue types that work together to perform a function.
Do organelles have specific functions like organs do?
Yes, organelles each perform specific functions within cells, such as energy production or protein synthesis.
Can an organelle function independently like an organ can?
No, organelles rely on the cell for their operation, while organs can function relatively independently.
Are all organelles membrane-bound?
No, some organelles like ribosomes are not surrounded by membranes.
Is an organelle a permanent structure in the cell?
Not always; some organelles can be recycled or modified according to cellular needs.
Do organs have different types across species?
Yes, organs may differ in size, shape, and function across different species.
Can organelles exist outside of cells?
No, organelles exist only within the protective environment of a cell.
Is an organelle considered alive?
No, organelles are not alive independently; they are functional parts of a living cell.
How do organs and organelles differ in size?
Organs are macroscopic and visible to the naked eye, while organelles are microscopic structures within cells.
Are organelles present in all cells?
Most eukaryotic cells contain organelles, though prokaryotic cells lack many membrane-bound organelles.
Do organs have their own systems like cells have organelles?
Yes, organs are part of larger organ systems that carry out specific functions in an organism.
Is the liver considered an organelle in any capacity?
No, the liver is an organ composed of cells containing their own organelles.
Can a cell function without organelles?
Eukaryotic cells rely on organelles for essential processes and cannot function without them.
Do organelles vary between plant and animal cells?
Yes, plant cells contain unique organelles like chloroplasts, absent in animal cells.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
