The cell Flashcards
general structure of the cell membrane
lipid bilayer containing specialised proteins, in association with surface carbohydrates.
general structure of lipid molecule
non polar hydrophobic end (2 fatty acid tails)
polar hydrophilic region (glycerol, phosphate and choline)
what does the polar hydrophobic region contain?
glycerol, phosphate, choline
properties of lipid molecules
amphipathic
spontaneously form bilayer in water, hydrophobic ends forming an inner layer
functions of cell membrane
fluid - lateral diffusion of membrane proteins + mobility
permeable to water, oxygen + small hydrophobic molecules, not to charged ions
breaks/tears sealed
membrane proteins: transport, enzymes, cell attachment and communication
main component of cell membrane
lipid forms 50%
major types of membrane lipids
phosphoglycerides
cholesterol
glycolipids
phosphoglyceride proportion, location and types
50% lipid component
surround membrane proteins anchoring proteins w/ enzymatic/transport functions
phosphatidylcholine
phosphatidylserine
phosphatidylethanolamine
cholesterol
limits movement of adjacent phospholipids
less fluid, -> stable
glycolipids location
outer face of membrane
associated sugars exposed, for intercellular communication
main types of glycolipid in membranes
sphingolipids
galacerebroside - part of myelin
gangliosides - 10% lipid in nerve cells
lipid rafts
high conc. of sphingolipids and cholesterol
50nm
carry specific proteins/cell signalling molecules
integral proteins
span lipid bilayer
peripheral proteins
associated w/ inner or outer
functions of membrane proteins
attach cytoskeletal filaments to membrane
attach cells to extracellular matrix
transport molecules in/out
chemical receptors
enzymatic
function of adhesion molecules
attach cells to extracellular matrix
function of carrier proteins/membrane pumps/channel proteins
transport molecules in/out of cells
movement of membrane proteins
some diffuse laterally over surface
some fixed
glycocalyx
carbohydrate residues on luminal aspect of inner membrane systems and cell surface
how to demonstrate membrane carbohydrates
lectins - proteins extracted from plants
how does transport in/out of cells take place?
endocytosis and exocytosis
endocytosis
invagination of cell surface.
invaginated membrane forms an endocytotic vesicle/endosome
membrane and material is further processed
endosome
small sealed spherical membrane bound body
pinocytosis/potocytosis
cells take up fluid and small molecules, forming small 50nm vesicles
endocytosis/phagocytosis
cells ingesting large particle to form 250nm+ endosomes
proteins on surface - receptors on cell surface
Fc portion of antibody - receptors
cell signalling activated
exocytosis
fusion of vesicle membrane with cell surface
secretion of products
incorporates new membrane
mediation of endocytosis and exocytosis
fusogenic proteins
macropinocytosis
cell extends processes as sheet to envelop large # ECF
where are the 2 main vesicles involved in transport derived from?
surface membrane invaginations
- coated pits
- caveoli
what are coated pits?
invaginations braced by special membrane proteins with receptors that bind to ligands - bring material in
example of specific coated pit
iron is ligand and clathrin is protein
what happens in further assembly of the coat protein?
progressive invagination to form coated vesicle
protein dynamin forms collar around neck, assists in budding
what does dynamin do?
protein forms collar around neck of vesicle, assists in budding
what happens when the vesicle is internalised?
coat protein shed and returned to surface - recycled.
what is recepor mediated endocytosis a feature of?
internalisation of iron, LDL and growth factors
what are caveoli and how do they differ from coated pits?
invaginations of cell surface braced by protein caveolin
3 cellular roles of caveoli
contain receptor proteins, concentration substances into the cell via potocytosis
transcytosis - endothelial cells
intracellular signalling
where can transcytosis occur?
cells like endothelial cells
what are the 2 types of secretory mechanisms?
constitutive secretory pathway
regulated secretory pathway
what is a constitutive secretory pathway?
secretion occurring by a constant fusion of vesicles with surface membranes
what is a regulated secretory pathway?
fusion of secretory vesicles with surface having to be signal-triggered
Rab family of GTPases
controls specificity of trafficking and docking and recruits tethering and fusion factors
SNARE proteins
from SNAp REceptor - tether and dock the vesicle to the membrane
differences/specificity
NSF protein
N-ethylmaleimde- sensitive fusion protein interact with SNAPs proteins (soluble NSF attachment proteins) to mediate membrane fusion
clathrin structure
protein bracing coated pit membranes
forms hexagonal lattice structure which develops as a coat around vesicle surface
what is the cytosol?
concentrated, dense fluid
what components does the cytosol contain?
machinery in protein synthesis, protein degradation and carbohydrate metabolism - enzymes
filamentous proteins - cytoskeleton
metabolism products
ribosomes
examples of products of metabolism
glycogen and free lipids - storage component
what do ribosomes do?
synchronise alignment of mRNA and tRNA in the production of peptide chains during protein synthesis.
ribosome appearance on H&E
basophilic
what are ribosomes composed of?
small subunit binding RNA
large subunit catalyses the formation of peptide bonds
specific ribosomal RNA and proteins
where is ribosomal RNA manufactured?
nucleolus
what is the nucleus?
largest single membrane-bound cell compartment
contains cellular DNA
H&E appearances of nuclei
spherical/ovoid
5-10um diameter
basophilic
nucleolus
what are nuclei bound by?
2 concentric membranes - inner and outer
function of inner nuclear membrane
contains specific membrane proteins - act as attachment points for filamentous proteins (lamins) - forms scaffolding to maintain spherical shape
what are lamins?
filamentous proteins that attach to the inner nuclear membrane and form scaffolding to maintain the spherical shape
function of outer nuclear membrane
binds perinuclear space, which is continuous with the lumen of the ER - may be associated with ribosomes
function of nuclear pores
continuity between cytosol and nuclear lumen containing chromatin
appearance of nuclear pores in TEMs
gaps
structure of nuclear pores
top to bottom:
cytoplasmic filaments
cytoplasmic ring
luminal ring
nuclear ring
basket filament
terminal ring
nuclear basket
rings and filaments in the nuclear space
what is DNA wound around?
histones - proteins
forms nucleosomes
what are nucleosomes?
histones with DNA wound around them
nucleosome packing
nucleosome string is wound into filaments
30nm diameter