Success criteria 1: Recall functions of membrane-bound

organelles
Success criteria 2: Explain how proteins are made and secreted

Making and secreting a protein

The gene that has the coded instructions for a protein

such as insulin, are housed on chromatin in the
nucleus, is transcribed into a length of RNA, called
messenger RNA (mRNA).

Many copies of this mRNA are made and they pass

out of the pores in the nuclear envelope to the
ribosomes.

At the ribosomes, the instructions are translated, and

insulin molecules are assembled. Vesicles fuse with the Golgi apparatus, 1. Click
where insulin protein molecules may be
The insulin molecules pass into the cisternae of the modified for release. 2. Watch
rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and along these
hollow sacs. Inside vesicles pinched off Golgi apparatus, 3. Make notes
molecules pass to the plasma membrane. to add to
Vesicles with insulin inside are pinched off from the steps on
RER and pass via microtubules and motor proteins to The vesicles and plasma membrane fuse protein
the Golgi apparatus. and the insulin is released to the outside of synthesis
the cell.
Success criteria 2: Explain how proteins are made and secreted
Ensure you annotate your own diagram of how insulin is
made….
Key steps
1. mRNA copy of the instructions (gene) for insulin is
made in the nucleus
2. mRNA leaves the nucleus through a nuclear pore
3. mRNA attaches to a ribosome, in this case attached
to a rough endoplasmic reticulum. Ribosome reads
the instructions to assemble the protein (insulin)
4. Insulin molecules are “pinched off” in vesicles and
travel towards Golgi apparatus
5. Vesicle fuses with Golgi apparatus
6. Golgi apparatus processes and packages insulin
molecules ready for release
7. Packaged insulin molecules are “pinched off” in
vesicles from Golgi apparatus and move towards
plasma membrane
8. Vesicle fuses with plasma membrane
9. Plasma membrane opens to release insulin
molecules outside.
Success criteria 3: Identify the functions of the cytoskeleton
Cytoskeleton has several functions;

• Organelles in cells are surrounded by the cytoplasm. The cytoplasm is more than
just a solution of chemicals though- it’s got a network of protein threads running
through it.

• Protein threads are called cytoskeleton

• In eukaryotic cells the protein threads are arranged as microfilaments (small solid
strands) and microtubules (tiny protein cylinders).

Four main functions:

1. The microtubules and microfilaments support the cell’s organelles, keeping them in position.
2. Also help to strengthen the cell and maintain its shape
3. Responsible for the movement of chromosomes when they separate during cell division depends on contraction of
microtubules in the spindle.
4. Proteins of the cytoskeleton can also cause the cell to move. For example, the movement of cilia and flagella is caused
by the cytoskeleton protein filaments that run through them. So in the case of single cells that have a flagellum, the
cytoskeleton propels the whole cell eg. Sperm cell.
Success criteria 4: Apply your understanding of membrane-bound organelles and their functions

Exam practice questions:

1. How does the structure of RER differ from that

of SER?
2. Describe the function of vesicles
3. What is the function of chloroplasts?
4. What is the function of the centrioles?

5. Which of the following describes a structure

found in plant cells but not in animal cells?
a) A system of membranes enclosing a fluid-filled
space.
b) A flattened structure surrounded by a double
membrane. Internal membranes are stacked up
in places to form grana.
c) A small organelle consisting of two subunits. It
is not surrounded by a membrane.
d) A round, membrane-bound organelle
containing digestive enzymes.