organelle
Organelle (noun) means an organelle is a small, specialised part inside a cell that carries out a particular job for that cell. Example: “The mitochondrion is an organelle that supplies the cell with energy.”
How to use organelle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn organelle is basically a tiny working part inside a cell, doing one job the cell needs done.
This is a scientific term used mainly in biology, particularly in cytology, the study of cells.
Remember the '-elle' ending marks it as something small, so think of an organelle as a miniature organ.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The mitochondrion is an _____ that supplies the cell with energy.
Etymology
Organelle is built from the English word organ with the ending -elle added to it, giving the sense of a small organ. The word describes a tiny working part inside a cell, echoing how an organ is a working part of a body.
