The cell contains many organelles whose primary job is to either control what goes in and out of the cell or to control the influx and out-flux of certain materials that can potentially change the environment of the cell. These organelles are listed below:
Cell
Explanation:
A stable environment is paramount to the proper functioning of a cell. The regulation of the cells' internal environment to keep it stable is termed as homeostasis. Cell organelles perform varied functions to stabilize the cell's environment:
Cell Membrane:
The cell membrane is the outer covering of the cell that serves as semi-permeable barrier against the extracellular environment. Being a semi-permeable barrier, the cell membrane only allows specific substances to enter the cell.
Mitochondria:
Apart from being the power house of the cell, mitochondria also play an active role in homeostasis. Mitochondria detect nutrient levels in the cytoplasm; they are also involved in lipid catabolism.
Autophagosomes and Lysosomes
Autophagosomes aid homeostasis by degrading and getting rid of harmful substances such as old/damaged organelles, pathogens, protein aggregates and storage nutrients such as lipid droplets. Autophagosomes deliver these harmful substances to lysosomes. Lysosomes are the cell's principal recyclers. They digest the lethal substances and export their remains outside the cell.
Apart from these, there are other organelles that indirectly contribute to homeostasis:
Although not directly involved, the ribosomes are responsible for the production of the proteins that are involved in the very process of homeostasis
