WEEK 4 & 5 & 6 & 7 (Cytoplasmic organelles) Flashcards
What are some examples of non-membranous organelles?
Ribosomes & Proteasomes
What are the properties of Ribosomes?
- about 20 x 30 nm in size
- assemble polypeptides from amino acids on molecules of tRNA in a sequence specified by mRNA
- two subunits of different sizes bound to a strand of mRNA
- core of small ribosomal unit is a highly folded rRNA chain associated with more than 30 proteins
- core of large subunit has three other rRNA molecules and nearly 50 other proteins
What are the functions of the rRNA molecules?
- structural support
- position transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules bearing amino acids in the correct “reading frame”
- catalyse the formation of peptide bonds
What is the function of all the other proteins in the ribosome?
Stabilise the catalytic RNA core
Describe the synthesis of Ribosomes
- Synthesised in cytoplasmic ribosomes
- Imported to the nucleus where they associate with newly synthesised rRNA
- Ribosomal subunits move from the nucleus to the cytoplasm where they are reused many times
During protein synthesis many ribosomes typically bind to the same strand of mRNA to form larger complexes called _________________ or _______________
Polyribosomes or Polysomes
In stained preparations, why are polyribosomes intensely basophilic?
Numerous phosphate groups of the RNA molecules act as polyanions
What is the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and what is its function?
Extensive interconnected membrane network lacking ribosomes
- synthesises, transports and stores lipids
- metabolises carbohydrates
- detoxifies drugs, alcohol and poisons
- forms vesicles and peroxisomes
What is the endoplasmic reticulum?
a network that extends from the surface of the nucleus throughout most of the cytoplasm and encloses a series of interconnecting channels (Cisternae)
Which cells can Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) be found in?
Cells specialised for protein secretion
- Pancreatic acinar cells (making digestive enzymes)
- Fibroblasts (Collagen)
- Plasma cells (Immunoglobins)
What makes the RER have basophilic staining properties?
The presence of polyribosomes on the cytosolic surface of the RER
What is the Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and what is its function?
An extensive interconnected membrane network that varies in shape with ribosomes attached on the cytoplasmic surface
- modifies, transports and stores proteins produced by attached ribosomes
- proteins are secreted, become components of the plasma membrane or serve as enzymes of lysosomes
Where does protein synthesis begin?
Polyribosomes in the cytosol
Describe the movement of polypeptides through the Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)
- The 5’ ends of mRNAs for proteins destined to be segregated in the ER encode an N-terminal signal sequence of 15-40 amino acids
- Newly translated signal sequence is bound by the signal-recognition particle (SRP) which inhibits further polypeptide elongation
- SRP binds to SRP receptors on ER membrane then SRP releases the signal sequence allowing translation to continue with the chain transferred to a translator complex
- Inside the RER lumen, the signal is removed by signal peptidase
- With ribosome docked at the ER surface, translation continues with growing polypeptide ‘pushing itself’ while chaperones and other proteins pull the polypeptide through the translator complex
- Upon release of the ribosome, post-translational modifications and proper folding of the polypeptide continue
What happens to new proteins that cannot be folded or assembled properly by chaperones?
They undergo ER-associated deflation (ERAD) in which unsalvageable proteins are
- translocated back into the cytosol
- conjugated to ubiquitin
- degraded by proteasomes
What differentiates the Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) from the Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)?
- less abundant
- not basophilic (since lacks ribosomes)
- best seen with the TEM
- more tubular/saclike rather than flattened cisternae
What are the three major functions of SERs?
- Enzymes in the SER perform synthesis of phospholipids and steroids
- Other SER enzymes allow detoxification of potentially harmful exogenous molecules such as alcohol and drugs (in the liver, bile)
- Sequestration and controlled release of Ca2+
The sequestration and release of Ca2+ is well developed in muscle cells, where the SER has an important role in the contraction process and has a specialised form called the ____________________________
Sarcoplasmic reticulum
What is the Golgi apparatus and what is its function?
Series of several elongated, flattened saclike membranous structures
Modifies, packages, and sorts materials that arrive from the ER in transport vesicles; forms secretory vesicles and lysosomes
Where are the small Golgi complexes located in most cells?
near the nucleus
Describe the movement of materials through the Golgi apparatus
- Material moves from the RER cisternae to the Golgi apparatus in small, membrane-enclosed carriers (TRANSPORT VESICLES) that are transported along cytoskeletal polymers by motor proteins
- Transport vesicles merge with the Golgi-receiving region (cis-face)
- On the opposite ‘shipping’ region (trans-face), larger saccules or vacuoles accumulate, condense and generate other vesicles that carry completed protein products to organelles away from the Golgi
What is the function of various coat proteins including Clathrin?
- Form transport vesicles and secretory vesicles
- Regulate vesicular traffic to, through and beyond the Golgi apparatus
Forward movement of vesicles in the cis Golgi network of saccules is promoted by which protein?
coat protein COP-II
retrograde is COP-I
What are Secretory granules?
Granules surrounded by a membrane and contain a concentrated form of the secretory product
They are found in cells that store a product until the release by exocytosis is signaled by a metabolic, hormonal or neuronal message
What are Zymogen granules?
Granules with dense contents of digestive enzymes
What are lysosomes and what is its function?
Spherical-shaped membrane-bound organelles formed from the Golgi apparatus; contain digestive enzymes
Digest microbes or materials (e.g ingested by the cell, worn-out cellular components or the entire cell)
What is the size of the lysosome and what is it seen with?
0.05 to 0.5 micrometers
Seen with TEMs but is larger in macrophages and neutrophils so can be seen with a light microscope
How are cellular components protected from the lysosomes?
- membrane surrounding lysosomes
- enzymes have an optimal activity at an acidic pH (5.0) so practically harmless at cytosol pH (7.2)