filaments
Levels of organization:
Provides structural support for the cell and its
Cells organelles
Tissues Provides a mechanism for transfer of materials
Organs within the cell and movement of the cell itself.
Organ systems
Organism Organelles
Endoplasmic reticulum - an extensive system of
The cell is the functional unit of all living organisms.
flattened membrane-bound tubules, saccules and
Simple organisms - bacteria and algae consist of a flattened cisterns.
single cell.
Golgi apparatus – another discrete system of
Multicellular organisms - more complex consist of membrane-bound saccules
many cells as well as extracellular matrix.
Cells with great variety of functional and Typically located close to the nucleus.
morphological specializations.
Mitochondria - scattered free in the cytoplasm are a
Differentiation - process by which cells assume
number of relatively large, elongated organelles.
specialized structure and function.
Have a smooth outer membrane and a convoluted
All eukaryotic cells conform to a basic structural model:
inner membrane system.
Other membrane-bound structures
Intracellular transport vesicles
Lysosome - digestion and waste removal
Peroxisomes - the breakdown of very long
chain fatty acids through beta-oxidation
Mitochondria
Mitochondria are involved in cellular respiration
Produce most of ATP
utilized by the cell
Cristae – inner
membrane that encloses
Cytoskeletons:
matrix
Matrix – contains 1. Microfilaments:
enzymes that break down Extremely fine protein filament (5-7 nm)
nutrient molecules; also Made up of f-actin filament – undergo frequent
contains mitochondrial dna assembly and disassembly to accommodate
and ribosomes changes in cell shape and cell movement.
Mitochondria Abundant in the peripheral areas of the cell just
beneath the cell membrane.
The principal organelles involved in cellular Involved in the activities of the cell membrane such
respiration in mammals as exocytosis and endocytosis.
Features: often “hot-dog” shaped, but can become Less abundant in the central portion of the cell.
rod-like, filamentous, spherical, etc. Probably involved in the movement of cell
The number in the cell depends on its energy organelles.
requirement. Involved in the locomotion of certain cells.
o Liver cell – 2000 m / cell 2. Intermediate filaments
o Resting lymphocytes – only a few m Intermediate in size between microfilaments and
Tend to aggregate in areas within the cell where microtubules (10-15 nm in diameter).
energy requirement is high. Intermediate filaments have 5 types (morph.
Sperm cell; m conc. At the mid piece of tail. Similar) but differ in protein contents:
a) Keratin – in keratinocytes of skin cells; for cell-to-
cell attachment.
b) Desmin – skeletin; in muscle cells; more numerous
in smooth than in striated muscles .
c) Vimentin – scattered all over cytoplasm of
fibroblasts and muscle cell.
d) Neuro filament - provide internal support for
neurons
e) Glial filament - provide internal support for glial
cells.
3. Microtubules
Tubules that are much thicker than microfilaments
or intermediate filaments (25 nm).
Formed in the centrosomes (microtubule organizing
center; MTOC).
o Attached to organelles – for movement
o Scattered in the cytoplasm – internal
support to cell
o Comprise centrioles – sources of mitotic
spindles, the cilia of ciliated cells and
flagellum of sperm cells.