Which term describes the small bodies that perform a function inside the cell?

• A. Ribosome
• B. Organelle
• C. Golgi bodies
• D. Lysosomes

Answer: (B)

Inside cells, there are specialized structures that each carry out a particular job. These structures are called organelles. They give the cell the ability to compartmentalize activities, so different processes can happen in separate places—like a protein-making factory (ribosomes), a shipping and labeling center (Golgi apparatus), or a digestion station (lysosomes). The word that describes all of these small, functional bodies inside the cell is organelle, which is why it’s the best choice. The other terms refer to specific examples of organelles or a single example of one, rather than the general category.