Epithelial specializations and exocrine glands Flashcards
Regional domains of epithelial cells
Apical, basal, lateral
Apical domain
Demonstrates structural specifications. Most apical layer of cells is used to classify cell morphology.
3 modifications to apical cell surface
- Microvilli 2. Stereocilia 3. Cilia
Microvilli
Small finger-like extensions of the apical membrane that project into a lumin and possess a core of actin filaments. Anchored into terminal web. Increase the surface area of the cell. Have bilayer of plasma membrane, glycocalyx (fuzzy coat).
Stereocilia
Long non-motile microvilli which may be branched. Simular to microvilli (cylindrical projections of the apical plasma membrane which contain an actin core) but longer and may be branched. Increase apical surface area. Function in signal generation (ex. in the ear)
Terminal web
Apical array of cytoskeletal filaments and accessory proteins where microvilli are anchored and supported
Cilia
Hair-like projections of the apical cell surface. Much larger than microvilli. Microtubule core called the axoneme composed of tubulin dimers. Easily distinguished from microvilli by their large size and the “9+2” (9 peripheral doublets and 2 center singlets) arrangement of microtubules. Motile-using dynein (ATPase), microtubles slide past each other causing cilium to bend. Move substances across surface of an epithelial layer (ex. respiratory tract uses cilia to move mucus)
Flagella
Contain same microtubule core (9+2 axenome) as cilia. Usually fewer in number and longer than cilia. In humans only found in spermatozoa.
Basal bodies
Where cilia are anchored. Composed of 9 microtubule triplets (structurally the same as centrioles)
Primary ciliary dyskinesia
Immotile cilia syndrome. Group of hereditary disorders including Kartagener’s syndrome and Youngs’s syndrome.
Kartagener’s syndrome
Cilia lack dynein arms resulting in chronic respiratory distress due to impaired mucus transport, male infertility
Youngs’s syndrome
Cilia have malformed radial spokes and dynein arms producing thick mucus secretions, persistent sinusitis, and reduced male fertility or sterility
3 types of terminal bars
Zonula occludens (tight junctions), zonula adherens (adhering junctions), macula adherens (desmosomes)
Terminal bars
Junctional complexes between adjacent cells
Zonula occludens structure
Tight junctions. Belt-like (encircle the circumference of the cell) structures located close to the apical surface. Characterized by system of membrane folds in which outer leaflets of adjacent plasma membranes brought in close contact. Mediated by occludins in association with cadherins.
Zonula occludens functions (2)
- Prevent free flow of water soluble molecules between cells (apical basal) 2. Compartmentalizes integral membrane proteins into apical and basolateral domains
Occludins
Integral plasma membrane protein that mediates zonula occludens along with cadherins
Cadherins
Integral plasma membrane protein that mediates zonula occludens along with occludins
Zonula adherins structure
Adhering junctions. Belt-like structures located adjacent and basal to the zonula occludens. Characterized by uniform distance between adjacent plasma membranes. Mediated by cadherins which interact with catenins that are linked to actin.
Zonula adherins functions (2)
- Cell adhesion 2. Link actin cytoskeletons of adjacent cells (anchor points)
Catenins
Interact with cadherins and actin in zonula adherins
Macula adherens structure
Desmosomes. Located basal to the belt junctions and distributed randomly along lateral membrane. Characterized by paired thickened membrane regions called attachment plaques (containing proteins like desmoplakins and pakoglobins), dense band (desmoglein) in intercellular space, site of intermediate filament cytokeratin insertion