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Histology THE NUCLEUS
Histology THE NUCLEUS
I. The Nucleus
a. Components of the Nucleus
A.1. Nuclear Envelope
A.2. Chromatin COMPONENTS OF THE NUCLEUS
A.3. Nucleolus
b. Cell Cycle
A.1 NUCLEAR ENVELOPE
c. Stem Cells and Tissue Renewal
d. Meiosis
e. Apoptosis - forms a selectively permeable barrier
between the nuclear and cytoplasmic
compartments
- Electron microscopy reveals that the
envelope has two concentric membranes
separated by a narrow (30-50 nm)
perinuclear space
THE NUCLEUS NUCLEAR LAMINA – a highly organized
meshwork of proteins that stabilizes the
nuclear envelope.
NUCLEUS
- a membrane-enclosed organelle that NUCEAR PORE COMPLEXES – bridges
contains the cell’s DNA in chromosomes or the inner and outer nuclear membrane
chromatin, from which all types of RNA are
transcribed o Contain the machinery that regulates
- contains a blueprint for all cell structures most bidirectional transport between
and activities encoded in the DNA of the the nucleus and the cytoplasm
chromosomes
- main components are the nuclear envelope, Regulate movement of
chromatin and nucleolus macromolecules between the
- usually appears as a large rounded or oval nucleus and cytoplasm
structure, often near the cell’s center, and is
typically the largest structure within the cell o Nucleoporins – core proteins of a
nuclear core complex that displays
8-fold symmetry across the lumen
A.2 CHROMATIN
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DELA CRUZ, MJA
TOLERO, KB
H-03 THE NUCLEUS
CELL CYCLE
- identical chromatin units called chromatids
held together by complexes of cohesin
proteins. CELL CYCLE
NUCLEOSOME – structural unit of DNA - The regular sequence of events that
and histones produce new cells
4 DISTINCT PHASES OF CELL CYCLE
2 CATEGORIES OF CHROMATIN 1. MITOSIS – period of cell division
1. EUCHROMATIN - visible as finely The only cell cycle phase that can
dispersed granular material in the electron be routinely distinguished with the
microscope and as lightly stained basophilic light microscope
areas in the light microscope FOUR MAJOR STAGES OF MITOSIS
- Transcriptionally active PROPHASE - The nucleolus
- Less condensed regions of chromosome disappears and the replicated
- Region where 30nm fiber forms radial loop chromatin condenses into
domains discrete threadlike
chromosomes, each consisting
2. HETEROCHROMATIN - appears as of duplicate sister chromatids
coarse, electron-dense material in the joined at the centromere
electron microscope and as intensely - The two centrosomes with
basophilic clumps in the light microscope their now-duplicated
- Transcriptionally inactive centrioles separate and
- Tightly compacted regions of chromosome migrate to opposite poles of
- Radial loop domains compacted even the cell and organize the
further microtubules of the mitotic
spindle
CHROMOSOMES - formed when the - Late in prophase, lamins and
chromatin threads become tightly inner nuclear membrane are
condensed phosphorylated, causing the
- In humans, most tissues (somatic cells) nuclear lamina and nuclear
contain 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair pore complexes to
of sex chromosomes disassemble and disperse in
cytoplasmic membrane
A.3 NUCLEOLUS vesicles
- Generally spherical, highly basophilic METAPHASE - the
structure in the nuclei of cells active in chromosomes have become
protein synthesis aligned at the equatorial plate as
- The intense basophilia of nucleoli is due not a result of their attachments to
to heterochromatin but to the presence of the dynamic microtubules of the
densely concentrated ribosomal RNA mitotic spindle organized by the
(rRNA) that is transcribed, processed, and centrosomes. The spindle
assembled into ribosomal subunits consists of kinetochore
microtubules, polar microtubules
which interdigitate near the
equatorial plate, and shorter
astral microtubules anchoring the
spindle to the cell membrane
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DELA CRUZ, MJA
TOLERO, KB
H-03 THE NUCLEUS
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DELA CRUZ, MJA
TOLERO, KB
H-03 THE NUCLEUS
STEM CELLS
MEIOSIS
- Occur in all tissues with rapid cell turnover; - specialized process involving two unique
they divide slowly in an asymmetric manner, and closely associated cell divisions that
with one daughter cell remaining a stem cell occurs only in the cells that will form sperm
and one becoming committed toward and egg cells.
differentiation - special form of cell division in germ cells
- Cells committed to differentiate (transit (oocytes and spermatozoa) in which the
amplifying or progenitor cells) typically chromosome number is reduced from
divide more rapidly than stem cells before diploid(2n) to haploid(n).
slowing or stopping division to differentiate. It occurs in developing germ cells in
preparation for sexual reproduction.
Subsequent fertilization results in
diploid zygotes.
DNA content of the original diploid
cell is doubled (4n) in the S phase
preparatory to meiosis.
A. This phase is followed by two
successive cell divisions that
give rise to four haploid cells.
B. In addition, recombination of
maternal and paternal genes
occurs by crossing over and
random assortment, yielding the
unique haploid genome of the
gamete.
SYNAPSIS
Cells formed by progenitor cells may become - An activity where the homologous
terminally differentiated, meaning that chromosomes of each pair (one from the
renewed cycling cannot occur and the mother, one from the father) come together.
- During synapsis double-stranded breaks
specialized cells exist for only a short time.
and repairs occur in the DNA, some of
which result in reciprocal DNA exchanges
In tissues with stable cell populations, such as called crossovers between the aligned
most connective tissues, smooth muscle, and homologous chromosomes.
the cells lining blood vessels, stem cells are not
readily apparent and differentiated cells appear STAGES OF MEIOSIS
to undergo slow and episodic division to 1. Reductional Division (Meiosis I)
maintain tissue integrity.
- occurs after interphase during the
cell cycle, when the DNA content is
duplicated, whereas the chromosome
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DELA CRUZ, MJA
TOLERO, KB
H-03 THE NUCLEUS
2. Equatorial Division (Meiosis II) begins
number (46) remains unchanged, giving the
soon after the completion of meiosis I, following a
cell a 4CDNA content (considered to be the total
brief interphase without DNA replication.
DNA content of the cell).
a. The sister chromatids are portioned out
a. Prophase I - is divided into five stages
among the two daughter cells formed in meiosis I.
(leptotene, zygotene, pachytene, diplotene, and
The two daughter cells then divide, resulting in the
diakinesis), which accomplish the following events:
distribution of chromosomes into four daughter
(1) Chromatin condenses into the visible cells, each containing its own unique recombined
chromosomes, each containing two chromatids genetic material (1CDNA;n).Thus, every gamete
joined at the centromere. contains its own unique set of genetic materials.
(2) Homologous maternal and paternal b. The stages of meiosis II are similar to
chromosomes pair via the synaptonemal complex, those of mitosis; thus, the stages are named
forming a tetrad. Crossing over (random similarly (prophase II, metaphase II, anaphase II,
exchanging of genes between segments of and telophase II).
homologous chromosomes) occurs at the
c. Meiosis II occurs more rapidly than
chiasmata, thus increasing genetic diversity.
mitosis.
(3) The nucleolus and nuclear envelope
disappear.
b. Metaphase I
(1)Homologous pairs of chromosomes align
on the equatorial plate of the spindle in a random
arrangement, facilitating genetic mixing.
(2) Spindle fibers from either pole attach to
the kinetochore of any one of the chromosome
pairs, thus ensuring genetic mixing.
c. Anaphase I
(1)This phase is similar to anaphase in
mitosis except that each chromosome consists of
two chromatids that remain held together.
(2) Chromosomes migrate to the poles.
d. Telophase I - is similar to telophase in
mitosis in that the nuclear envelope is reestablished
and two daughter cells are formed via cytokinesis.
(1) Each daughter cell now contains 23
chromosomes (n) number but has a 2CDNA
content (the diploid amount).
(2) Each chromosome is composed of two
similar sister chromatids (but not genetically
identical following recombination).
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DELA CRUZ, MJA
TOLERO, KB
H-03 THE NUCLEUS
APOPTOSIS
APOPTOSIS
- “Program cell death”
- A rapid, highly regulated cellular activity that
shrinks and eliminates defective and
unneeded cells.
- The method whereby cells are removed
from tissues in an orderly fashion as a part
of normal maintenance or during
development.
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DELA CRUZ, MJA
TOLERO, KB