Cells and tissues -Dr Felts Flashcards
Describe the features of the plasmalemma.
Separates the cytoplasm and outside environment
It is fluid, can change shape easily and is selectively permeable. (Highly permeable to small hydrophobic molecules but not to charged ions)
It is a phospholipid bilaterally with integral proteins, peripheral proteins and cholesterol integrated in it.
What does the plamalemma being amphipathic mean?
It has hydrophobic heads at the outer and inner surfaces and hydrophobic fatty acids in the centre
The plasmalemma can exocytose and endocytose what does this mean?
Exocytose = send materials out of the cell Endocytose = bring materials into the cell
What is the difference between organelles and inclusions?
Organelles = small intracellular ‘organs’ essential to life Inclusions = only present in some cells not all
What are the three classes of filament that make up the cytoskeleton ?
Microfilaments
Intermediate filaments
Microtubules
Describe microfilaments.
Composed of actin protein and are the smallest of the types
They can easily assemble into filaments and disassemble which makes them very dynamic
Around 7nm in diameter
Describe intermediate filaments.
They bind intracellular elements together and to the plasmalemma forming a network
They are used in pathology to identify tumours
10-15 mm diameter
Describe microtubules
Hollow tubules composed of alpha and beta tubular subunits in alternating array
Serves as a “motorway” network of the cell
Originate from the centrosome (MTOC)
They are polar
Important in cilia, flagella and mitotic spindle
How do Dynein and kinesin work with microtubules?
They attach to the microtubules and move along them, dragging the membranes of organelles and vesticles along them.
Kinesin= ATPase that moves towards the cell periphery
Dynein= ATPase that moves toward the cell centre
What are centrioles ?
A pair of organelles composed of many specialised microtubule segments
Describe the nucleus.
Contains genetic code and is the site of RNA synthesis
it is enclosed by a nuclear envelope made of inner and outer nuclear membrane which nuclear pores providing continuity with the cytoplasm
Between the inner and outer nucleus is the PERINUCLEAR CISTERN
mRNA and tRNA are transcribed in the nucleus and rRNA is transcribed in the nucleolus
What is EUCHROMATIN?
DNA that is more dispersed and actively undergoing transcription.
What is HETEROCHROMATIN?
DNA that is highly condensed and not undergoing transcription.
Describe ribosomes.
Formed in the nucleolus
Instrumental in protein synthesis
Each made up of a small subunit which binds to RNA and a large subunit which catalyses the formation of peptide bonds
What is the endoplasmic reticulum?
Reticulum = net-like structure The endoplasmic reticulum forms a network of interconnecting membrane bound compartments in the cell Two types (RER and SER) Increase in ER = increase in the metabolic activity of the cell
Describe rough endoplasmic reticulum.
Studded with ribosomes
Plays a vital role in synthesis of proteins destined for insertion into membranes or secretion
Describe smooth endoplamic reticulum.
Continues the processing of proteins produced in the RER
The site of synthesis on lipids
Most cells contain relatively little SER
Describe the Golgi complex (apparatus)
It is composed of a group of flattened, membrane bound cisternae (membrane disks) arranged in sub-compartments. Transport vesicles (structure containing liquid) arrive at the Golgi from the SER/RER The Golgi cisterns function in the modification and packaging of macromolecules synthesised in the ER (adds sugar, cleaves protein, sorts macromolecules into vesicles)
Describe the mitochondria
Oblong cylindrical organelles composed of inner and outer membrane
The inner membrane is extensively folded to form cristae which increases SA
They are the power generators of the cell so function in the generation of ATP (via oxidative phosphorylation and the synthesis of certain lipid and proteins)
Contain their own DNA and system for protein production
Increase in mitochondria in a cell = increase in metabolic rate
What are intercellular junctions?
Specialised membrane structures which link individual cells together into a functional unit
3 types ; occluding, anchoring and communicating
Describe occluding junctions
Link cells to form a diffusion barrier ( preventing diffusion)
Appear as a focal region of close together adjacent cell membranes
Also known as TIGHT junctions or ZONULA ADHERENS
Describe anchoring junctions
Link sub-membrane actin bundled of adjacent cells
Also termed ZONULA ADHERENS
Provide mechanical strength
What does a desmosome do?
Link sub-membrane intermediate filament or adjacent cells. Very common in the skin where they provide mechanical stability
What is a junctions complex
Close association of several types of junction found in epithelial tissues
Describe communicating junctions
Allow movement of molecules (selective diffusion) between cells
Each junction is a circular patch studded with several hundred pores
Pores are produced by connexon proteins
Found in the epithelia but also in some smooth muscle and cardiac muscle where it is critical for the spread of excitation
How can material move across the cell membrane?
eDiffusion
Transport proteins
Vesicular transport (endocytosis and phagocytosis)
What is endocytosis?
How material from an extra cellular space can be incorporated into a cell
The cell membrane invaginates, fuses and the newly made endocytotic vesicles buds into the cell. This is often receptor mediated
What is phagocytosis?
How bacteria or larger material from extra cellular space is incorporated into the cell
The bacterium bings to the cell surface receptors triggering extensions of the cell to engulf it forming a phagosome
The phagosome binds with a lysosome carrying a digestive enzyme producing a phagolysosome
How is tissue preserved?
The tissue must be thinly sliced to allow light to penetrate the tissue
Then it must be impregnated with a support material (usually wax) by dehydrating it, putting it in an organic solvent and placing it in hot wax
Thin sections are then put on a microtome and put on microscope slides, the wax washed off and the tissue rehydrated.
Changes/ distortions from the original tissue are ARTIFACTS
What are H&E dyes?
Haematoxylin = a BASIC dye with the affinity for ACIDIC molecules and stains them purplish blue Eosin = an ACIDIC dye that’s has an affinity for basic molecules and stains them pinkish red
What are the problems with interpretation of histological techniques?
You are essentially seeing a 3D object in 2D , since a simple bent tube can produced many different shapes when sliced thinly , you can see many different aspects of a tissue
What is the epithelium?
The epithelium covers surfaces of the body, lines hollow organs and forms many glands. It occurs as sheets and varies widely in size, shape, orientating and function.
What are features of the epithelium?
The adhesions between epithelial cells is strong and sheets of cells have minimal intercellular space (perfect for surfaces and body cavities) It has a BASAL LAMINA They are non-vascular Cells are usually polarised It can also form solid organs e.g liver
What are some functions of the epithelia?
Mechanical barriers (skin) Chemical barrier (lining of stomach) Absorption Secretion Containment (urea) Locomotion (cilia)
What are the two types of epithelia?
Covering and glandular
How can covering epithelia be classified ?
Cell shape
No. Of layers
Cell surface or tissue specialisations (prominent microvilli,cilia, presence of layers of keratin)
Presence of specialised cell types (goblet cells)
How can cell shape be classified?
Squamous (flattened,fish scale)
Cuboidal
Columnar (tall and thin)
How can the number of layers be classified?
Simple = one layer Stratified = two or more layers Pseudostratified = appears multilayered but are all connected to the basal lamina
What is a basal lamina?
A layer of extracellular matrix components to which the cells are attached
What do endocrine glands do?
Secrete products towards the basal end of the cell and then it is distributed to the vascular system throughout the body
What do exocrine glands do?
Secrete products toward the apical end of the cell either into the lumen of an internal cell, into a duct or onto the body surface
What are the four types of tissue?
Epithelial
Connective tissue
Muscle
Nervous