Non-membranous Organelles Flashcards
Cytoskeleton function
Determines the shape of the cell
Plays an important role in the movements of organelles and cytoplasmic vesicles
Allows the movement of entire cells
Cytoskeleton structure
Microfilaments (actin filaments)
Intermediate filaments
Microtubules
Microfilaments (structure)
Made of thin twisted strands of protein molecules that lie parallel to the long axis of the cell.
Composed of actin, a contractile protein.
Microfilaments (function)
They play a role in moving or shifting cytoplasmic components
Actin filaments (function)
Cause contractile movements of cells and cell membrane stabilization
Actin filaments (properties)
Actin filaments are present in all type of cells
Found in microvili
They are found in skeletal muscle cells where they form a stable arrangement of bundles with another type of filamentous protein, myosin
Contraction occurs when actin and myosin filaments slide relatively to one another
Cell cortex (structure)
Beneath the plasma membrane, actin, in association with various proteins, forms a layer: the cell cortex
Cell cortex (function)
Provides mechanical support to the cell membrane
Allows changes in cell shape (as in endocytosis and exocytosis)
Intermediate filaments (structure)
They are intermediate in size between microfilaments and microtubules
Intermediate filaments (function)
Play a supporting or general structural role
Intermediate filaments (classes)
Six major classes on the basis of protein composition and cellular distribution:
Cytokeratin (in epithelial cells) Vimentin (in mesenchymal cells) Desmin (in muscle cells) Neurofilaments (in neurones) Gilal filaments (in gilal cells) Lamin (form a structural layer on the inner side of the nuclear membrane)
Cytokeratin or Keratin
Accumulate in the differentiation process called keratinization to form an outer layer of non-living skin cells that reduces deshydration and provides some protection (nails, feathers, beaks, horns…)
Microtubules (structure)
Consists of protein called tubulin, which polimerize to form a hollow tubule
Microtubules (function)
Involved in intracellular transport and cell motility
Microtubules (properties)
Found in cytoplasmic processes, cilia and flagella, which are motile processes, covered by cell membrane with highly organized microtubule core
Flagella
Longer than cilia
Moves the cell itself in wave-like fashion
Usually one per cell
Example: sperm cell
Cilia
Shorter than flagella, appendages projecting from cell surface
Capable of movement, moves material over the cell surface
Many per cell
Example: cilia in respiratory system
Microvilli (structure)
Extension of plasma membrane
Contains actin filaments
Microvilli (function)
Increases the cell surface area for absorption
Microvilli (properties)
Usually found in line intestine
Normally many on each cell
Doesn’t move
Ribosomes (structure)
RNA rich cytoplasmic granules, in addition of approximately 80 different proteins
Ribosomes (function)
Fixed ribosomes bound to rough endoplasmic reticulum are the site of protein synthesis
Free ribosomes scattered in cytoplasm act as reserve
Centrioles (structure)
Small cylindrical-shaped structures found just outside and near the nucleus
Centrioles (function)
Production of microtubules that help moving chromosomes during cell division