Audrey Zhang
Into the Human Cell
Human cells come in all different forms
and purposes…
RED BLOOD CELLS (RED), WHITE
BLOOD CELLS (GREEN), PLATELETS CELLS ON RETINA
(YELLOW)
Sources:
[Link]
[Link]
… but they share common traits.
Eukaryotic
Contains a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
1. Nucleus
1. Nucleolus
2. Endomembrane System
1. Ribosomes
2. Endoplasmic Reticulum
3. Golgi Apparatus
4. Lysosome
5. Vacuoles
3. Other Organelles
1. Peroxisomes
2. Mitochondria
4. Non-membranous Components
1. Cytoplasm
2. Cytoskeleton
Image Credits:
Cell (Slide) [Link]
[Link]
Transmission Electron
Micrograph of a Plasma Cell
Cell Components Include:
Nucleus (N)
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
Golgi Apparatus (G)
Mitochondria (M)
Compare:
The discoverer of cells and nuclei –
Anton von Leeuwenhoek.
Nucleus
Nucleus (kernel, little nut)
“Control Center of the Cell”
Contains genetic material (DNA)
Organized with histone proteins to form chromosomes
DNA is transcribed in mRNA (messenger RNA), which is translated into
proteins by the ribosomes
Missing in red blood cells (erythrocytes)
Known as “anucleated” cell – also missing other organelles like
ribosomes and mitochondria
Multiple in skeletal muscle cells (myocytes)
Known as “polynucleated” cell – some may develop abnormally from
fusion of other cells and cause tumors
Sources:
[Link]
Image Credits:
[Link]
[Link]
Nucleus (Slide) [Link]
[Link]
The nucleus is filled with
unraveled chromatin (DNA).
The nucleolus makes
ribosomes.
The fluid that fills the rest is
called the nuclear matrix.
The nucleus is surrounded by a
nuclear envelope, made
permeable by nuclear pores.
Compare:
Nucleus (Details)
NUCLEAR ENVELOPE AND PORES NUCLEAR ENVELOPE (GREEN),
(BLUE), NUCLEAR MATRIX NUCLEAR PORE COMPLEXES
(GREEN) (YELLOW)
The Endomembrane System
Ribosomes, Endoplasmic Reticulum, Golgi Apparatus, Lysosomes,
Vacuoles
The discoverer of ribosomes –
George Palade.
Ribosomes
Ribo (RNA) + some (body)
“Protein Factories of the Cell”
Translate mRNA messages into polypeptides
Two kinds, Free and Bound
Free: float in cytosol; produce enzymes for cell
Bound: attached to rough ER; produce enzymes for
secretion
Most prevalent in cells involved in protein synthesis
Make up to 25% of dry weight of pancreatic cells
Sources:
[Link]
[Link]
The discoverer of the ER – Albert Claude.
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Endo (within) + plasmic (liquid) + Reticulum (network)
“Manufacturing Plant of the Cell”
Two kinds: Rough and Smooth
Rough: ribosome-studded for protein synthesis
▪ More prevalent in pancreatic cells and plasma cells, which produce
for the body digestive enzymes and antibodies, respectively
Smooth: lipid synthesis
▪ Generate cell membranes
▪ Common in liver, where it plays a key role in detoxification
▪ Common in adrenal glands and reproductive organs, where it
synthesizes hormones and other steroids
Sources:
[Link]
[Link]
Image Credits:
Rough Endoplasmic [Link]
Reticulum (Slide) [Link]
doplasmic_reticulum,_TEM-[Link]?id=714600175
The membranes (orange) are
the rough endoplasmic
reticulum. These are studded
with ribosomes.
The numerous tiny dark spots
are the ribosomes.
The large circular grey objects
are vesicles.
Compare:
The discoverer and namesake
– Camillo Golgi
Golgi Apparatus
“Post Office of the Cell”
Processes proteins from ER
Receives on “cis” face and ships out on “trans” face
Includes plasma membrane proteins, digestive
enzymes, lysosomes
Some hormones and neurotransmitters, like
endorphins and ACTH, are finished in the Golgi
Origin of mucus secreted by epithelial cells
Sources:
[Link]
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Image Credits:
[Link]
[Link]
Golgi Apparatus aratus,_
(Slide) [Link]?id=714600115
[Link]
M_of_Golgi_complex_in_olfactory_bulb_cell-[Link]?id=714600074
Vesicles are membrane-
enclosed storage and delivery
systems.
Cisternae are the sacs made by
the folding of the Golgi
membranes.
The trans face is where
finished proteins are packaged
into vesicles for secretion.
The cis face receives proteins.
Compare:
Vesicles (Details)
NERVE ENDING WITH VESICLES GOLGI APPARATUS WITH VESICLES
(ORANGE AND BLUE) (SPHERICAL)
The discoverer of lysosomes
and peroxisomes – Christian
Lysosome
Lyso (break down) + some (body)
de Duve
“Cell’s Recycling Center”
Dissolves damaged organelles
Breaks down excess macromolecules
Tay-Sachs, Gaucher and Fabry Disease result from
failure of lysosomes to digest lipids, resulting in their
accumulation
Digests external food particles
Prevalent in white blood cells (phagocytes) that
consume bacteria
Sources:
[Link]
[Link]
The discoverer of vacuoles –
Anton von Leeuwenhoek.
Vacuole
Vacuole (little vacuum)
Most commonly a “food vacuole”
Membranous sac containing ingested particles
from phagocytosis
Formed from plasma membrane surrounding
ingested particle
Closes off into vesicle, which then merges with a
lysosome filled with digestive enzymes
Image Credits:
[Link]
Lysosome (Slide) [Link]
y/animalcellstructure/Lysosomes/[Link]
Lysosomes begin as vesicles
that branch from the Golgi,
containing digestive enzymes.
These are known as primary
lysosomes.
After lysosomes ingest
particles such as damaged
organelles, they increase in
size. These are known as
secondary lysosomes.
Compare:
Other Organelles
Peroxisomes, Mitochondria
The discoverer of lysosomes
and peroxisomes – Christian
Peroxisome
Peroxi (peroxide) + some (body)
de Duve
“Cell’s Recycling Center”
Peroxi (O2-) + some (cell)
Similar to lysosomes, but bud off of ER
Digestive enzymes originate in cytoplasm
Breaks down dangerous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
Breaks down excess macromolecules like fatty acids
Synthesizes cholesterol and myelin
X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD), featured in
Lorenzo’s Oil, comes from a defect in peroxisomes
Sources:
[Link]
[Link]
Image Credits:
http
://[Link]/en/themes/sciences/zoology/animalphysiology/anatomy/ani
Peroxisome (Slide) malcellstructure/Peroxisomes/[Link]
[Link]
ark-staining_peroxisomes-[Link]?id=714600021
Peroxisomes are here stained a
dark color to enhance contrast
with the other organelles.
Also visible are the
mitochondria, and the
endoplasmic reticulum.
Compare:
The discoverer of mitochondria –
Albert von Kolliker
Mitochondria
Mito (thread) + chondria (little granules)
“Powerhouse of the Cell”
Provides usable energy in the form of ATP
Location of aerobic cellular respiration
More prevalent in muscle cells, esp. heart, where constant action
is needed
Contains mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
Make special proteins for respiration that exist only in the
mitochondria
Mutations cause disorders like exercise intolerance (easily
fatigued) because energy cannot be produced at normal capacity
Sources:
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
Image Credits:
Mitochondrion (Slide) [Link]
[Link]
The outer membrane.
The interior membranes, with
cristae folds, which bound the
intermembrane space, are
where ATP is made.
Filling the rest of the
mitochondria is the fluid
matrix.
Compare:
Non-Membranous Components
Cytoplasm, Cytoskeleton (Microtubules, Microfilaments, and Intermediate
Filaments)
Cytoplasm
Cyto (cell) + plasm (liquid)
Entire region between plasma membrane and nucleus
Contains numerous organelles and the cytoskeleton
system
Divide cell into compartments by function
Composed of cytosol, a semifluid
Contains water and other dissolved materials
Regulates cell environment (e.g. control of ion levels,
especially potassium and sodium)
Sources:
[Link]
Cytoskeleton
Cyto (cell) + skeleton (framework)
“Framework of the Cell”
Microtubules (tubulin)
Discovered by Tilney and Porter
Gives cell its shape and strength
Transports organelles within cytoplasm
Make up mitotic spindle and centrosomes
Microfilaments (actin)
Discovered by Borisy and Taylor
Responsible for white blood cell movement
Prevalent in skeletal muscle along with myosin to cause movement
Intermediate filaments (actin/myosin)
Characteristic keratin common in hair/nails
Sources:
[Link]
[Link]
Image Credits:
[Link]
Cytoskeleton (Slide) [Link]
[Link]?id=670015258
The yellow bands represent the
microtubules and
microfilaments that enforce
the structure of the cell.
This contrast slide shows the
complexity of the network
upon which organelles can
travel.
Compare:
Audrey Zhang
This is the end.
