Cell Structure and Type

Histology 1 – Cell Types & Structure 1 Dr. Fadhil H.
Ahmed
Cells
• Cells are the structural and functional units of
all tissues
• Cell is smallest unit of life that can replicate
independently, and cells are often called
"building blocks of life"
• Main functions are to maintain a homeostasis
in body
There are 2 types of Cells

Prokaryotic Cell (0.1-10 um) Eukaryotic Cell (10-100 um)
Single-cell organisms that Have 2 important features that not found in
1. Lack of membrane-bound prokaryotic cells :
nucleus (nuclear envelop) 1. Nucleus bounded by nuclear envelop
2. Lack of membrane-bound cell 2. Cell organelles bounded by
organelles. membrane
3. Example: Bacteria 3. Example: animal and plant cells
Cell Structures
All eukaryotic cells consist of cytoplasm & cell organelles, bounded by plasma
membrane
Histology 1 – Cell Types & Structure 2 Dr. Fadhil H. Ahmed
Plasma Membrane (plasma lemma) (Cell membrane)

• It separates the interior of cells from external environment.
• Basic structure of plasma membrane and membranes around cell
organelles is:
1. Lipid bilayer
2. Proteins and carbohydrates (glycoproteins and glycolipids) are
scattered between 2 layers of lipid.
There are three types of lipids in plasma membrane: phospholipids (the most
abundant), cholesterol and glycolipids
Function of Plasma Membrane

1. Forms a barrier which is selectively permeable: this barrier is permeable for
certain substances and it regulates the entry and exit of these substances.
2. Aids in cell-to-cell communication: Intercellular interaction is essential for proper
functioning of multicellular organisms.
Transport across cell membrane

Substances can be transported across the plasma membrane by
Passive transports Active transports Vesicular transport

• Substances can pass through  Cells need to transport • Large molecules such
cell membrane passively by some substances through as polysaccharides or
which molecules or ions plasma membrane against proteins cannot be
move from region of higher concentration transported by carrier
concentration to region of proteins.
 Requires energy which is
lower concentration • Involves formation of
provided by ATP
• Not require energy. vesicles.
 Proteins involved in
• Types active transport are • Types
• Simple diffusion referred to as pumps (Na- • Endocytosis
• Facilitated Diffusion • Exocytosis
K pump)
Cytoplasm
• Is a gel-like fluid present between
plasma membrane and nucleus of cell
• Main components of cytoplasm:
1. Cytoplasmic organelles (are small
organs within the cell such as
mitochondria and endoplasmic
reticulum)
2. Cytoplasmic inclusions (small particles such as lipid droplets, glycogen granules
and pigment granules).
3. Cytoskeletons (provide structural framework to the cell)
Cytoplasmic Organelles
are classified into 2 types:
Membranous Non-membranous
• Golgi complex • Ribosomes
• Endoplasmic reticulum—rough and • Cytoskeleton—microtubules,
smooth microfilaments and intermediate
• Mitochondria filaments
• Lysosomes
• Peroxisomes
• Endosomes
Mitochondria (Singular: Mitochondrion) (Powerhouses of cell)

• Oval-shaped structures are bounded by phospholipid bilayer.
• The outer membrane is smooth and inner membrane (folded to form cristae) encloses
matrix space.
• The matrix contiens matrix granules, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid
(RNA), ribosomes and all enzymes of Kreb's cycle.
• Functions: the site for synthesis of ATP, which is the source of energy.
Ribosomes
• Complexes of ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) and
proteins
• Present in two forms: they may be free in cytoplasm or
may be studded on rough endoplasmic reticulum
(RER) or outer nuclear membrane
• Clusters of ribosomes bound to a single strand of
messenger RNA (mRNA) are called polyribosomes or
polysomes.
• Function: They are sites for protein synthesis, and
translation of mRNA into protein occurs in ribosomes.
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Is a network of folded membranes that form vesicles and cisternae (singular: cisterna).
There are two types of endoplasmic reticulum:
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

• Ribosomes are present on its outer surface, • SER is an irregular network of folded
giving it a rough appearance membranes that are without ribosomes.
• The membrane of some RERs is continuous • SERs are abundant in cells which
with outer nuclear membrane synthesis steroids, such as Leydig cells
• Proteins formed by ribosomes enter the RER of testis and cells of adrenal cortex. They
are also abundant in liver cells (help in
• The membrane of RER breaks off to form detoxification of drugs).
protein-filled sacs known as vesicles. A
vesicle is a transport vehicle for protein • Functions: They are involved in
through which protein reaches Golgi body synthesis of lipids and steroid hormones.
for further processing. They contain enzymes that help detoxify
certain drugs.
• Functions: It is site for protein synthesis.
Proteins are synthesized by ribosomes
present on external surface of the RER.
Golgi complex
• It is composed of stacks of membrane-bound flattened structures known as cisternae.
• The cis face of Golgi complex is cisterna, nearest to RER. It receives transport vesicles
of proteins synthesized in RER.
• The trans face is opposite to cis face, away from RER. Secretory vesicles are formed
here.
• Between cis and trans faces, there is middle compartment of Golgi complex; in this
part of Golgi complex, carbohydrate components are added to proteins and lipids.
• Functions: It is involved in modifying, sorting and packaging of secretory products.
Lysosomes
• Membrane-bound spherical vesicles present in all cells.
• Their function is intracellular digestion, and they contain hydrolytic enzymes that are
involved in degradation of macromolecules.
• They are present in large numbers in phagocytic cells. They damage bacteria that has
been phagocyte by the phagocytic cells.
• Lysosomes are present in three forms: primary, secondary and tertiary.
Endosomes
• Membrane-bound compartments in which endocytosed substance is stored before they
undergo lysosomal degradation.
• They consist of vesicles located
near plasma membrane.
Peroxisomes
• Membrane-bound organelles which
contain enzymes.
• Certain enzymes of peroxisomes
oxidize various substrates to
hydrogen peroxide, which is
bactericidal.
• The enzyme catalase converts
excess hydrogen peroxide, which is
toxic, into oxygen and water.
Cytoskeleton
• It is a network of protein filaments in cytoplasm of cell.
• Function:
1. It provides structural framework to cells.
2. It also helps in cell movement and movement of cytoplasmic components during
several processes such as phagocytosis, endocytosis and exocytosis.
• It consists of three main components: microfilaments, microtubules and intermediate
filaments.
Nucleus
• It is largest cell organelle.
• It is present in most of cells (absent in
mature erythrocytes and platelets).
• There is one nucleus per cell, but some cells
may have more than one, for example,
skeletal muscle cells, osteoclasts and a few
cells in transitional epithelium.
• Shape of nucleus varies in different types of cells—it may be spherical, flat, elongated
or lobulated.
• It serves to store and organize genetic information and controls the entire metabolic
process of a cell.
• It consists of various parts: nuclear membrane, chromatin, nucleolus and nucleoplasm.

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Histology 1 – Cell Types & Structure 1 Dr. Fadhil H.

There are 2 types of Cells

Plasma Membrane (plasma lemma) (Cell membrane)

Function of Plasma Membrane

Transport across cell membrane

Passive transports Active transports Vesicular transport

Mitochondria (Singular: Mitochondrion) (Powerhouses of cell)

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

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