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:
http://www.sciencephoto.com/images/download_lo_res.html/P242335-Blood_cells,_SEM-SPL.jpg?id=802420335
http://www.sciencephoto.com/images/download_lo_res.html/P424182-Retina,_SEM-SPL.jpg?id=804240182
… 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) http://www.ebi.ac.uk/microarray/biology_intro.html
http://cellular-immunity.blogspot.com/2007/12/plasma-cells.html

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:
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/N/Nucleus.html
 Image Credits:
http://www.ndpteachers.org/perit/biology_image_gallery1.htm
http://academics.hamilton.edu/biology/kbart/new/emimage.html
Nucleus (Slide) http://php.med.unsw.edu.au/cellbiology/index.php?title=2009_Lecture_4
http://www.nature.com/nprot/journal/v2/n9/covers/index.html

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:
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/R/Ribosomes.html
http://cmm.ucsd.edu/palade.html
 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:
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/E/ER.html
http://www.rockefeller.edu/rucal/journey/claude.html
 Image Credits:
Rough Endoplasmic http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/insidethecell/chapter1.html
Reticulum (Slide) http://www.sciencephoto.com/images/download_lo_res.html/G460175-Rough_en
doplasmic_reticulum,_TEM-SPL.jpg?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:
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/G/Golgi.html
http://www.nndb.com/people/732/000125357/
http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/biobk/biobookglossd.html
 Image Credits:
http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/insidethecell/chapter3.html
http://www.sciencephoto.com/images/download_lo_res.html/G460115-Golgi_app
Golgi Apparatus aratus,_
(Slide) TEM-SPL.jpg?id=714600115
http://www.sciencephoto.com/images/download_lo_res.html/G460074-Colour_SE
M_of_Golgi_complex_in_olfactory_bulb_cell-SPL.jpg?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:
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/L/Lysosomes.html
http://www.nndb.com/people/189/000130796/
 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:
http://php.med.unsw.edu.au/cellbiology/index.php?title=Lysosome_Images
Lysosome (Slide) http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/sciences/zoology/animalphysiology/anatom
y/animalcellstructure/Lysosomes/Lysosomes.htm

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:
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/L/Lysosomes.html
http://www.nndb.com/people/189/000130796/

Peroxisome (Slide)
Image Credits:
http
://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/sciences/zoology/animalphysiology/anatomy/ani
malcellstructure/Peroxisomes/Peroxisomes.htm
http://www.sciencephoto.com/images/download_lo_res.html/G460021-TEM_of_d
ark-staining_peroxisomes-SPL.jpg?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:
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/C/CellularRespiration.html
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/M/Muscles.html
http://www.whoguides.com/who-discovered-the-mitochondria
 Image Credits:
Mitochondrion (Slide) http://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Exercise%20Phys/mitochondrionplus.html
http://php.med.unsw.edu.au/cellbiology/index.php?title=Mitochondria_Images

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:
http://php.med.unsw.edu.au/cellbiology/index.php?title=2010_Lecture_3
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:
http://php.med.unsw.edu.au/cellbiology/index.php?title=2009_Lecture_9
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/C/Cytoskeleton.html
 Image Credits:
http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/biology/bio4fv/page/cytoskeleton.html
Cytoskeleton (Slide) http://www.sciencephoto.com/images/download_lo_res.html/C0015258-Cell_cyto
skeleton-SPL.jpg?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.