HISTOLOGY
LABORATORY | PROF. VICHERYL M. LOPEZ, MD | PRELIMS
CELL
OBJECTIVES
• Describe a eukaryotic cell
• Give the functions of the various organelles of the
eukaryotic cell
• Distinguish cells and their subcellular organelles
under the microscope
MILESTONES IN DISCOVERY OF CELL
1665
• Robert Hooke – Discovered Cell
o An English scientist who examined a thin size of
cork under the microscope
o The piece of cork was composed of tiny
compartments that resembled little rooms with
surround walls. He named these compartments
as cells
o What he observed were not living
1674
• Anton Van Leeuwenhoek – Observed living cell
o Was the first to observed living cells in
microorganisms called animalcules (now it is
called protists)
1883
• Robert Brown – Discovered nucleus
o Scottish botanist
o Discovered the Brownian Motion which is the
random movement of microscopic particles
1835
• Felix Dujardin – Discovered fluid content of the cell
o French Biologist
o Living cells contain an internal substance called
sarcode
1838
• Matthias Schleiden – Proposed all plants are made up of
cells
o German botanist
1839
• J. E. Purkinje – Named fluid content of cell as protoplasm
o Jan Evangelista Purkinje, Bohemian Botanist
o Made a thorough investigation of the internal
material discovered by Dujardin. He named it
protoplasm, the colloidal substance in the cell
1839
• Theodor Schwann – Proposed all animals are made up of
cells
o German Zoologist
o Schleiden and Schwann came out with a theory
that “all living thing are composed of cells”
1845
• Carl Heinrich Braun – Proposed cell is the basic unit of life
FIRST SEMESTER
A.Y. 2021 - 2022
1855
• Rudolf Virchow – Proposed all cells arise from pre-
existing cells
o German Pathologist
o There was an argument whether Rudolf Virchow
or Robert Remak release proposed initially that
all cells arise from pre-existing cells
o Robert Remak performed experiments that
presented evidence that indeed all cells are
formed from other cells through cell division
▪ Despite his accomplishments, because of his
Jewish faith he was repeatedly denied full
professor status until late in life.
▪ His statements were met disbelief by many of the
prominent scientists of his time
o According to some historians, Rudolf Virchow
plagiarized the notion that all cells come from pre-
existing cell from Remark.
o However, the ideas of cell theory did not begin to
be popularized until Rudolf Virchow published
cellular pathology
o Despite Remak’s contribution, most texts
attributed the founding of cell theory to Rudolf
Virchow
CELL
• A cell is the basic structural and functional unit of living
organisms
• Cell biology or cytology – scientific study of cells
• Main function: maintain a proper homeostasis in the
organism to maintain ang internal environment in a
relatively constant stage
• A group of cells which are similar in structure ang
perform a particular function form a tissue
• Different tissues group together to form an organ
• Different organs group together to form an organ
system
• Different organ systems group together to form an
organism
TELETUBBIES | BSMLS 2F 1
HISTOLOGY FIRST SEMESTER
LABORATORY | PROF. VICHERYL M. LOPEZ, MD | PRELIMS A.Y. 2021 - 2022
CELL
SIZE OF CELLS IN HUMANS
• The human body is composed of close to 50 to 100
trillion cells. They show a high diversity in their sizes,
structure, number, and function

• Smallest cell – Sperm Cell

• Prokaryotic cells – bacteria o Size – 5 μm
• Eukaryotic cells – plants, animals, humas, etc. • Largest cell – Ovum Cell
• Eukaryotic cells are mostly multicellular. Some are o Size – 120 μm
unicellular such as the amoeba • Longest cell – Nerve Cell
o Size – 1m
• The human brain is estimated to contain around 100
billion neurons and the same amount of the
supporting glial cells
• Different cells have different functions
SHAPE OF CELLS
• Variation among
the shape of the
cells depend
mainly upon the
function of the cell
• Human red blood
• Prokaryotes are primitive organisms lacking nucleus cells are circular
and membrane bound organelles biconcave for
easy passage
• The term prokaryote is derived from the Greek word
pro – before, and karyon – kernel. Together it means through human
before nuclei capillaries
• Prokaryotic cells have nucleoid meaning nucleus-like • Nerve cells are
branched to
which is an irregularly shaped region within the
prokaryotic cell that contains DNA conduct impulses
from one point to
• Unlike the nucleus of eukaryotic ell, the nucleoid is not
another
membrane bound
• Human white
• Prokaryotic cells have cell wall. Many also have a
blood cells
capsule made of polysaccharide
(leukocytes) can
• Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles
change their
• Eukaryotes are advance organism with a well-defined
shape to engulf
nucleus
the
• The term eukaryote is derived from the Greek words
microorganisms
eu – good, and karyon – kernel. It means true nuclei
that enter the
because eukaryotic cells have nucleus
body

TELETUBBIES | BSMLS 2F 2
HISTOLOGY FIRST SEMESTER
LABORATORY | PROF. VICHERYL M. LOPEZ, MD | PRELIMS A.Y. 2021 - 2022
CELL
STRUCTURE OF CELL o The permeability of the cell membrane to different
• The light source for the early microscope was sunlight substances varies. It permits some substances to
but in modern microscopes, electric illumination is pass more readily than the others
used as the main light source
• The structure of a cell has been studied under
compound microscope and
electron microscope
• Certain structures can be
seen only under an
electron microscope
• The structure of a cell as
seen under an electron
microscope is called
ultrastructure
• The right photo above shows the oocyte
• Compound microscope
magnification 2000x
• Only some parts of the cell can be seen using the
compound microscope such as cell membrane,
nucleus, cytoplasm
• Electron microscope magnification 500,000x or more
PRINCIPAL PARTS OF A CELL
• If we study a cell under a microscope, we will come
across three features in almost every cell such as
plasma membrane, nucleus, and the cytoplasm (in
between the nucleus
and cell membrane) • The picture above shows different types of white
• Principal parts of the blood cells (neutrophil, eosinophil, and basophil
cell • Neutrophil
o Cell membrane o There is a single nucleus, but the nucleus is
o Nucleus multilobed (about 2-5 lobes)
o Cytoplasm o In the picture there are about 4 lobes
PLASMA MEMBRANE • Eosinophil
• Cell membrane or plasmalemma or cytoplasmic o Contains single nucleus, but bilobed
membrane o The cytoplasm contains the orange granules
• Biologic membrane that separates the interior of a cell • Basophil
from its outside environment o Contains single nucleus
• Forms the cell’s flexible outer surface, separating the o The cytoplasm contains granules
cell’s internal environment from the external STRUCTURE OF PLASMA MEMBRANE
environment THE LIPID BILAYER
• The primary function of the plasma membrane is to • Basic structural framework of the plasma
protect the cell from surroundings membrane
• Selective Permeability • Two back-to-back layers made up of three types of
o Permeable – meaning the cell membrane lipid molecules:
permits the passage of substances to it o Phospholipids – 75% (MAJORITY)
o Impermeable – the structure such as the cell o Cholesterol – 20%
membrane does not permit the passage of o Glycolipids – 5%
substances through it • The bilayer arrangement occurs because the lipids
o This selective permeability of the cell membrane are amphipathic molecules
helps establish and maintain the appropriate • Amphipathic molecules (have both polar and
environment for normal cellular activities nonpolar parts)

TELETUBBIES | BSMLS 2F 3
HISTOLOGY FIRST SEMESTER
LABORATORY | PROF. VICHERYL M. LOPEZ, MD | PRELIMS A.Y. 2021 - 2022
CELL
o PHOSPHOLIPIDS CARBOHYDRATES
▪ POLAR: phosphate-containing head, which • Third major component of plasma membrane
is hydrophilic (water loving) • Always found on the exterior surface of cells where
▪ NONPOLAR: the two long fatty acids “tails,” they are either bound to proteins (forming
which are hydrophobic (water fearing) glycoproteins) or to lipids (forming glycolipids)
COMPONENT LOCATION
Phospholipid Main fabric of the
membrane
Major lipid in the cell
membrane
Cholesterol Attached between
phospholipids and
between the two
phospholipids layers
Integral proteins (for Embedded within the
example, integrins) phospholipid layer(s).
May or may not penetrate
through both layers
Peripheral proteins On the inner or outer
surface of the
phospholipid bilayer, not
embedded within the
ARRANGEMENT OF MEMBRANE PROTEINS phospholipids
• Another major component of the plasma membrane Carbohydrates Generally attached to
• Classified as to whether they are firmly embedded in (components of outside of membrane
the membrane glycoproteins and layer
o Integral proteins glycolipids)
▪ Incorporated directly within the lipid bilayer FLUID MOSAIC MODEL
▪ Those that completely span the bilayer are
called transmembrane proteins
o Peripheral proteins
▪ Not firmly embedded in the membrane
▪ Attached to the polar heads of membrane
lipids or to integral proteins at the inner or
outer surface of the membrane

• This was first described or proposed by S.J. Singer

• In the picture above there’s an example of integral
proteins particularly the transmembrane proteins
and Garth L. Nicolson in 1972.
• According to this model, the molecular arrangement
of the plasma membrane resembles a continually
moving sea of fluid lips that contains a mosaic of
many different proteins
• Some of the proteins float freely like icebergs in the
lipid sea. Whereas others are anchored at specific
location like islands
• It describes the cell membrane as a tapestry of
several types of molecules that are constantly moving
TELETUBBIES | BSMLS 2F 4
HISTOLOGY FIRST SEMESTER
LABORATORY | PROF. VICHERYL M. LOPEZ, MD | PRELIMS A.Y. 2021 - 2022
CELL
• What is the function of the movement? membrane enables the membranous organelles to
o To help the cell membrane maintain its role as a maintain an internal environment different from that of
barrier between the inside and outside of the cell the surrounding of cytosol
environments CYTOSKELETON
PRINCIPAL PARTS OF A CELL • Network of protein filaments that extends throughout
CYTOPLASM the cytosol
• Consists of all the cellular contents between the • The word cytoskeleton means skeleton of the cell
plasma membrane and the nucleus • It provides the cell with support and structure, and
• Site of most cellular activities etc.
• Two components: • Consists of (in order of their increasing diameter):
o Cytosol – intracellular fluids (fluid portion of the o Microfilaments
cytoplasm) o Intermediate filaments
o Organelles – little organs o Microtubules
▪ Each type of the organelle has a • Functions of the cytoskeleton
characteristic shape and specific functions 1. Serves as a scaffold that helps determine a cell’s
such as Endoplasmic Reticulum, Ribosomes, shape and organize the cellular contents
Cytoskeleton, etc. 2. Aids movement of organelles within the cell, of
CYTOSOL chromosome during cell division, and of whole
• Viscous, cells such as phagocytes
semitransparent
fluid in which the
other cytoplasmic
elements are
suspended
• Largely water,
also proteins,
salts, sugars
• Within the cytosol are several different types of
organelles
MICROFILAMENTS
• Site of many chemical reactions required for a cell’s
• Thinnest elements of the cytoskeleton
existence
• Composed of the protein actin and are most
o E.g., enzymes in the cytosol catalyze glycolysis
prevalent on the peripheral regions of the cell
which produce two molecules of ATP (Adenosine
membrane
triphosphate) from one molecule of glucose
• Two general functions:
ORGANELLES
o Help generate movement
• Little organs
▪ Ex. induce muscle contractions
• Specialized cellular compartments or structures, each
o Provie mechanical support
performing its own job to maintain the cellular
▪ Ex. for cell extensions called microvilli
homeostasis and cell life
▪ Microvilli are non-motile microscopic
• Metabolic machinery of the cell
finger-like projections of the cell membrane
• Each type of organelle carries out a specific function
for the cell
MEMBRANOUS NON-MEMBRANOUS
Endoplasmic Reticulum Cytoskeleton
Golgi Apparatus Cilia/Flagella
Mitochondria Centrosome/Centrioles
Lysosomes Ribosome
Peroxisomes
• Most organelles are bounded by a membrane similar
in composition to the plasma membrane. This

TELETUBBIES | BSMLS 2F 5
HISTOLOGY FIRST SEMESTER
LABORATORY | PROF. VICHERYL M. LOPEZ, MD | PRELIMS A.Y. 2021 - 2022
CELL
INTERMEDIATE FILAMENTS o Specialized cell projections
• Thicker than microfilaments but thinner than
microtubules
• They have no role in cell movement, their function is
purely structural
• Bare tension, thus maintain the shape of the cell and
anchor the nucleus and other organelles in place
• Helps stabilize the position of organelles such as the
nucleus and help attach cells to one another
• Are the most diverse group of cytoskeletal elements
because composed of a variety of proteins that are
expressed in different types of cells:
o Epithelial Cells – Keratin
o Mesenchymal Cells – Vimentin
o Smooth and striated muscles – Desmin
o Nerve cells and their processes –
Neurofilament
o Inner later of the nuclear membrane – Nuclear
lamin

• As mentioned previously, microtubules are in cell

mitosis and in specialized cell projections
• The picture above depicts the organization of a typical
mitotic spindle found in animal cells
• There is the presence of the different types of
microtubules
• The intermediate filaments in the picture above help • E.g., the kinetochore microtubule that attach to the
anchor the nucleus in place chromosome
MICROTUBULES
• Largest of the
cytoskeletal
components
• Long, unbranched
hollow tubes
composed mainly
of the protein
tubulin found in
almost all cell types
except mature red blood cells • We have in the photo are the flagellum and cilia
• Originate from the microtubule-organizing center, the • Referring to the microtubule arrangement (circle, 3rd
centrosome in the cytoplasm photo)
o Centrosome contains a pair of centrioles • Biologist call the arrangement nine plus two arrays (9
• Determine cell shape and function in intracellular + 2) array
movement of organelles and secretory granules o Because both flagella and cilia consist of 9 pairs
• Essential in cell mitosis of microtubules in a ring that encloses a
o Where they form the spindles that separate the microtubule duo or pair in the center.
duplicated chromosome and remodel the cell
during mitosis
• Predominant in cilia and flagella
TELETUBBIES | BSMLS 2F 6
HISTOLOGY FIRST SEMESTER
LABORATORY | PROF. VICHERYL M. LOPEZ, MD | PRELIMS A.Y. 2021 - 2022
CELL

• Again, we have three cytoskeletal elements.

Microtubule, which is composed of protein tubulin,
Microfilament which is composed of the protein
actin, Intermediate Filament which is composed of
• Histologic section of trachea (respiratory organ)
intermediate filament subunits
• Trachea is lined with a pseudostratified ciliated
• E.g., In the epithelial cells it is composed of the
columnar epithelium
intermediate filament keratin
• The function of cilia in this organ is to keep the inhaled
CILIA AND FLAGELLA
dust, smog and other potentially harmful
• Motile projections of the cell surface
microorganisms from entering the lungs
• Contain the motor protein dynein and
microtubules,
which are
composed of
linear polymers
of globular
proteins called
tubulin (9 +2
ARRAY)
CILIA
• Numerous, short, hairlike projections
• Main function: to sweep or move fluids, cells, or
particulate matter across cell surfaces
• E.g. many cells of the respiratory tract have hundreds
of cilia that help sweep the foreign particles trapped • The image above is the histologic section of a
in mucous away from the lungs fallopian tube
• Another example is the fallopian tube or known as the • It has ciliated cells and functions to sweep the egg or
oviduct or uterine tube. The function of cilia there is to zygote toward the uterus.
sweep the egg or zygote towards the uterus
• Ex. cells of the respiratory tract, oviducts or uterine
tubes, and efferent ducts in the testes
FLAGELLA
• Similar in structure to cilia but are typically much
longer
• Ex. Sperm cell’s tail
o Propels the sperm toward the oocyte in the
fallopian tube

• These are sperm cells

• The tail of the sperm cell is the only flagellum found
in the human body

TELETUBBIES | BSMLS 2F 7
HISTOLOGY FIRST SEMESTER
LABORATORY | PROF. VICHERYL M. LOPEZ, MD | PRELIMS A.Y. 2021 - 2022
CELL
CENTROSOME RIBOSOMES
• Another non-membranous organelle aside from the
cytoskeleton and centrioles
• Small organelles majorly made up of 60% RNA
(rRNA) and 40% proteins
• The name of these tiny structures reflects their high
content of ribonucleic acid particularly the RNA or the
ribosomal RNA
• Synthesized in the nucleolus
• Not surrounded by a membrane
• Contain two different subunits:
o Small subunit (“40S” in eukaryotes) decodes
the genetic message
o Large subunit (“60S” in eukaryotes) catalyzes
peptide bond formation
• Sites of protein synthesis (play an important role in
protein synthesis)

• Major microtubule-forming center and the site for

generating new microtubules and mitotic spindles
• Consists of two components
o A pair of centrioles
▪ Cylindrical structures, each composed of
nine clusters of three microtubules
(triplets) arranged in a circular pattern
o Pericentriolar material
▪ Surrounds the centrioles, which contains
hundreds of ring-shaped complexes
composed of the protein tubulin
• Ribosomal subunits and their associated proteins are
first synthesized in the nucleolus and are transported
to the cytoplasm via nuclear pores
• In a given cell there are both bound or attached
ribosomes and free or unattached ribosomes
• BOUND RIBOSOMES
o ribosomes attached to the membranes of rough
endoplasmic reticulum
o synthesize proteins destined for specific
organelles, for insertion in the plasma membrane,
or for export from the cell
• FREE RIBOSOMES OR UNATTACHED
RIBOSOMES
• Before mitosis, the centrioles in the centrosome o Float freely in the cytoplasm
replicate and form two pairs o They make soluble proteins that function in the
• During mitosis, each pair moves to the opposite poles cytosol as well as those important in the
of the cell where then they become the microtubule mitochondria
organizing centers for mitotic spindles that control the o synthesize proteins for use within the cell
distribution of chromosomes to the daughter cells cytoplasm
• Microtubules play a role in cell mitosis

TELETUBBIES | BSMLS 2F 8
HISTOLOGY FIRST SEMESTER
LABORATORY | PROF. VICHERYL M. LOPEZ, MD | PRELIMS A.Y. 2021 - 2022
CELL
• Haematoxylin – eosin
o Most prevalent stain used in histology laboratory
o Haematoxylin (basic dye) stains acidic
components of cell (basophilic structures) – DNA,
RNA, ie. Nucleus, nucleolus, ribosomes in rough
endoplasmic reticulum
o Eosin (acidic dye) stains basic structures of cell
(acidophilic, eosinophilic) – that are
predominantly proteins, ie. Cytoplasm,
mitochondria, smooth endoplasmic reticulum,
and collagen in extracellular matrix

ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM
• A membranous
organelle
• Extensive • Referring to the image, nucleus and nucleolus are
network of stained blue
membranes in • Cytoplasm is stained pink
the form of
flattened sacs
or tubules called cisternae
• Extends/continuous with the nuclear membrane
(nuclear envelope) particularly the rough ER
ROUGH ENDOPLASMIC RETICUMUM (RER)
• Characterized by numerous flattened, interconnected
cisternae,
whose • In the light microscope, the rough ER can be seen as
cytoplasmic masses of material staining with basic dyes
surfaces are • The picture above are nerve cells
covered or • The cytoplasm of the nerve cells contains large
studded with aggregations of rough endoplasmic reticulum that
dark-staining appear as basophilic masses scattered throughout
granules the cytoplasm of the nerve cell
called • These basophilic masses are called Nissel’s granules
ribosomes or Nissel substance or Nissel bodies
• Visualized as masses of material staining with basic • However, detailed structure of the rough ER cannot
dyes (basophilia) in the light microscope be studied by light microscopy
• The basophilia of the rough endoplasmic reticulum in • You need the use of electron microscope to view the
hematoxylin and eosin staining is due to the presence detailed structure of RER
of ribosomal RNA in the ribosomes attached to the
cisternae
TELETUBBIES | BSMLS 2F 9
HISTOLOGY FIRST SEMESTER
LABORATORY | PROF. VICHERYL M. LOPEZ, MD | PRELIMS A.Y. 2021 - 2022
CELL
▪ SARCOPLASMIC RETICULUM
o Specialized smooth endoplasmic
reticulum
o Stores, releases calcium ions needed for
muscle contraction

• The picture shows a pancreatic tissue specifically the

exocrine pancreas
• The pancreatic acinar cells or the exocrine cells, due
to their abundance of rough ER, they show a strongly
basophilic cytoplasm
o This is because the pancreatic acinar cells are
highly specialized for digestive enzyme synthesis SUMMARY OF THE FUNCTIONS OF ENDOPLASMIC
storage and secretion RETICULUM
• Another structure that can be seen in the pancreatic • Rough ER synthesizes glycoproteins and
duct which does not need high amount of rough ER phospholipids that are transferred into cellular
for protein synthesis. organelles, inserted into the plasma membrane, or
SMOOTH ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM secreted during exocytosis
• Consisting of • Smooth ER synthesizes fatty acids and steroids, such
tubular as estrogens and testosterone; Inactivates or
vesicles detoxifies rugs and other potentially harmful
devoid of substances; removes the phosphate group from
ribosomes glucose-6-phosphate; and stores and releases
• Continuous calcium ions that trigger contraction in muscle cells
with the rer in GOLGI APPARATUS
most cells • Most of the proteins synthesized by ribosomes
• Involved in attach to rough endoplasmic reticulum or transported
the synthesis and storage of lipids (estrogen, to other regions of the cell
testosterone and corticosteroids) • The first in the transport pathway is the golgi
• Inactivates or detoxifies drugs and other potentially apparatus
harmful substances • Also known as Golgi complex or Golgi body
• Examples of cells with abundant ser: • Composed of a system of membrane-bound, smooth,
o Sebaceous glands flattened, stacked, and slightly curved cisternae
o Gonadal cells involved in producing steroid o Convex entry (cis) face – faces the rough
hormones (such as leydig cells in the testis and endoplasmic reticulum
follicular cells in the ovary which produce o Concave exit (trans) face – faces the plasma
testosterone and estrogen respectively) membrane
hepatocytes in the liver
▪ Large amount of smooth ER are found in the
liver cells where one of its main function is to
detoxify products of natural metabolism and
detoxify overloads of ethanol derived from
excess or excessive alcoholic drinking
o Cells of striated muscles (cardiac and skeletal
muscle)

TELETUBBIES | BSMLS 2F 10
HISTOLOGY FIRST SEMESTER
LABORATORY | PROF. VICHERYL M. LOPEZ, MD | PRELIMS A.Y. 2021 - 2022
CELL
• A Golgi body cannot be seen under a light • Image above is viewed under the light microscope
microscope; thus, use electron microscopy • Pointed by the black arrows are the mitochondria
PROCESSING AND PACKAGING OF PROTEINS BY which just appear as tiny black flecks with the use of
THE GOLGI COMPLEX the Janus green stain
• Mitochondria are so tiny that their size is about the
size of the bacteria
• Have two special membranes: (these structures are
visible under the electron microscope)
o External mitochondrial membrane
o Internal mitochondrial membrane
▪ Contains a series of folds called cristae
o Increase the surface area of the inner membrane
o Contain most of the respiratory chain enzymes
responsible for oxidative phosphorylation and
production of cell ATP
• Three general destinations for proteins that leave the o ATP = chemical energy responsible for the
Golgi complex: metabolic activities of the cell
o Forms secretory vesicles that discharge • Small fluid-filled
processed proteins via exocytosis into the space between
extracellular fluid. the membranes
o Forms membrane vesicles that ferry or carry new intermembrane
molecules to the plasma membrane space
o Forms transport vesicles that carry molecules to • Central fluid-
other organelles such as the lysosomes. filled cavity
• Functions of the Golgi Complex enclose by the
1. Modifies, sorts, packages, and transports internal mitochondrial membrane- mitochondrial
proteins received from the rough ER matrix
2. Forms secretory vesicles that discharge • Mitochondria contain their own ribosome or known as
processed proteins via exocytosis into mitoribosomes
extracellular fluid; forms membrane vesicles that • Mitochondria have its own DNA known as the
ferry new molecules to the plasma membrane; mitochondrial DNA or the MT DNA
forms transport vesicles that carry molecules to
other organelles, such as lysosomes
MITOCHONDRIA
• Rod-shaped or oval or spherically shaped
• They are visible under the light microscope, but little
detail can be seen (use electron microscope to
visualize the complex internal structure of the
mitochondria)

TELETUBBIES | BSMLS 2F 11
HISTOLOGY FIRST SEMESTER
LABORATORY | PROF. VICHERYL M. LOPEZ, MD | PRELIMS A.Y. 2021 - 2022
CELL
• Since generate ATP through reactions of aerobic apparatus where they are modified and packaged
cellular respiration (“powerhouses” of the cell) into membrane bound lysosomes
• The number of mitochondria found in a cell reflect the • Very abundant in phagocytic cells as tissue
cell’s rate metabolic activity macrophages and specific white blood cells
• E.g. In metabolically active cell such as muscles, liver, (leukocytes) such as neutrophils
kidneys —large number of mitochondria • Lysosomes under an electron microscope are
• Red blood cells – no mitochondria spherical structures electron dense structures
• Aside from that lysosomes, in some cases, are visible under the light
they do not have microscope with the use of the special stain especially
nucleus and other in phagocytic cells such as macrophages and white
organelles such blood cells such as neutrophils. lysosomes in these
as endoplasmic cells are slightly larger that's why they can be visible
reticulum and under the light microscope with the use of a special
Golgi apparatus stain
• Unlike most of
other eukaryotic
ells, mature red
blood cells don’t
have nuclei and
organelles so
they can carry
more hemoglobin
and thus, more oxygen.
• Role to help maintain the intracellular environment
o Store caspases responsible for triggering LEFT: Kidney tubule under a light microscope with
apoptosis Toluidine blue
o Able to transiently store calcium contributing to • Cells in the kidney tubule show numerous purple
calcium homeostasis lysosomes labeled L while the N here is the nucleus
• Functions of Mitochondria of the cell
1. Generate ATP through reactions of aerobic RIGHT: Under electron microscope
cellular respiration • Lysosomes have a characteristic very electron dense
2. Play an important early role in apoptosis appearance and are shown near the groups of the
• In brown adipose tissue, mitochondria have an Golgi apparatus
alternative function of heat production • “Suicidal bags of the cell”
LYSOSOMES • Main function: intracellular
• Membrane-enclosed digestion or phagocytosis
vesicles that form from of substances taken into the
the Golgi complex cells
• One of the general • Help recycle worn-out cell
destinations of the structures by autophagy
proteins leaving the • May also destroy the entire cell that contains them, a
Golgi apparatus is to process known as autolysis
form transport vesicles • Functions of Lysosomes
that carry molecules to 1. Digest substances that enter a cell via
other organelles such endocytosis and transport final products of
as the lysosomes digestion into cytosol
• Contain many 2. Carry out autophagy, the digestion of worn-out
hydrolyzing or organelles
digestive enzymes called acid hydrolases 3. Implement autolysis, the digestion of an entire
o These enzymes are synthesized in the rough cell
endoplasmic reticulum transferred to the Golgi
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HISTOLOGY FIRST SEMESTER
LABORATORY | PROF. VICHERYL M. LOPEZ, MD | PRELIMS A.Y. 2021 - 2022
CELL
4. Accomplish extracellular digestion
ACROSOMAL REACTION
• A process wherein the head of the sperm releases
lysosomal enzymes that aid its penetration of the
oocyte by dissolving its protective coating
PEROXISOMES
• Also called
microbodies
• Similar in
structure to
lysosomes, but
smaller
• Contain oxidases
(oxidative
enzymes; Oxidize
Skeletal muscle cell – multinucleated
various organic
substances to form a highly cytotoxic product called
the hydrogen peroxide however peroxisomes also
contain an enzyme catalase which eliminates the
excess hydrogen peroxide by breaking down into
water and oxygen molecules because the
degradation of hydrogen peroxide takes place within
the same organelle, peroxisomes protect other parts
of the cell from this cytotoxic product) and catalase
(decomposes hydrogen peroxide)
• Detoxify harmful substances either produced by the
cell or taken into the cell
• Abundant in the cells of the liver and kidney
PRINCIPAL PARTS OF A CELL
NUCLEUS
• Spherical or oval-shaped structure often near the
cell’s center
• Largest
organelle of a
cell
• “brain” of the cell
(control center
of the cell)
• Most cells
contain a single
nucleus
• Multiple nuclei – skeletal muscle cells
• Nonnucleated – mature red blood cells, platelets
• NUCLEAR ENVELOPE (NUCLEAR MEMBRANE)
o A double membrane separates the nucleus from
the cytoplasm
o Contains nuclear pores which control the
movement of substances in and out of the
nucleus (selective permeability)
Smooth muscle tissue

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HISTOLOGY FIRST SEMESTER
LABORATORY | PROF. VICHERYL M. LOPEZ, MD | PRELIMS A.Y. 2021 - 2022
CELL
• Heterogenous structures with electron-dense (dark)
and electron-lucent (light) areas – collectively called
CHROMATIN
o Heterochromatin (electron dense areas)
▪ Consist of tightly coiled inactive chromatin
found in irregular clumps often around the
periphery of the nucleus
o Euchromatin (electron-lucent)
▪ “active” chromatin, containing DNA
sequences that are being transcribed into
RNA

RBC- nonnucleated
• Inside the nucleus are one or more non-membranous
highly basophilic spherical bodies called nucleoli
• Function in producing ribosomes
o Sites of synthesis of rRNA and assembly of rRNA
and proteins into ribosomal subunits
o Not enclosed by a membrane
o Most prominent in cells that are synthesizing • Nucleus of a pancreatic B cell or beta cell which
large amounts of protein (muscle and liver) synthesizes large amounts of insulin. 2 forms of
NUCLEOPLASM chromatin. Chromatin is the name for the diffuse
• Similar to the granular mass of DNA found in interface cells
cytoplasm of a cell, meaning non-dividing state or non-dividing cells
in that it is semi- heterochromatin. Electron dense areas or the dark
liquid, and fills the areas is less abundant compared to euchromatin.
empty space in the Heterochromatin contains the in active chromatin
nucleus while the lighter areas here or the electron loosened
• Surrounds the areas are the euchromatin which contain the active
nucleoli inside the nucleus chromatin.
• 1. Nucleus; 2 Nucleolus

• The double helix DNA double helix

which is packaged by the proteins
LEFT: Ganglion cells
histones that is to form the
RIGHT: 2 primary oocytes
chromatin complex and then the
• Contains the hereditary information of the cell or
chromatin will undergo further
cellular genetic material (deoxyribonucleic acid in the
condensation or coiling to form the
form chromatin), which encodes all cell structures and
chromosome so chromosome is
functions
what consisting of two chromatids

TELETUBBIES | BSMLS 2F 14
HISTOLOGY FIRST SEMESTER
LABORATORY | PROF. VICHERYL M. LOPEZ, MD | PRELIMS A.Y. 2021 - 2022
CELL
or sister chromatids linked together by the centromere • Visible as irregular clumps of Periodic Acid Schiff
so chromatin is visualized only under the electron (PAS) – positive or electron-dense material in several
microscope. cell types, notably liver cells
CHROMOSOME VS. CHROMATID VS. CHROMATIN

• Are all DNA!! Cytoplasm of the liver cell showing numerous clustered or
• This happens during the 5 Phase but DNA is still individual electron dense particles representing the
uncoiled glycogen granules
• In the nucleus, the DNA double helix is packaged by
special proteins called histones to form a complex
called chromatin (Uncoiled structures)
CHROMATID
• Is a single strand of chromosomes
• Copy of DNA attached to the original strand by the
centromere
CHROMOSOMES
• Are 2 chromatids together, made of condensed
chromatin
• Coiled up
• Compact thick and ribbon-like RIGHT: liver tissue; numerous inclusions known as the
lipid droplets, so this is a case of a fatty liver, the lipid
• Higher order of DNA organization
droplets are easily visualized as clear circular spaces in
CENTROMERE
the cytoplasm of hepatocytes
• Is where the 2 chromatids meet
GLYCOGEN GRANULES IN LIVER
INCLUSIONS
• A cytoplasmic
• Contain accumulated metabolites or other
inclusion,
substances
present in
• Have little or no metabolic activity
large amounts
LIPID DROPLETS
in liver cells
• Accumulations of lipid-filling adipocytes (fat cells) and
(hepatocytes).
present in various other cells
Glycogen
Shows lipid droplets labeled
appears as
L in the adrenal cortex so
dark
under the electron
acidophilic
microscope they appear as
granules
small spherical structures
PIGMENTED DEPOSITS
with homogeneous
MELANIN
mattresses
• Dark brown granules which in skin serve to protect
GLYCOGEN GRANULES
cells from ultraviolet radiation
• A storage form of glucose

TELETUBBIES | BSMLS 2F 15
HISTOLOGY FIRST SEMESTER
LABORATORY | PROF. VICHERYL M. LOPEZ, MD | PRELIMS A.Y. 2021 - 2022
CELL
LIPOFUSCIN/LIPOCHROME
• A pale brown granule, a
“wear and tear” pigment
from the accumulation of
auto phagolysosomes over
time
• HEMOSIDERIN
• Dense brown aggregate of
denatured ferritin proteins
with many atoms of bound
iron
• Prominent in phagocytic
cells of the liver and spleen,
where it results from
phagocytosis of red blood
cells

SUMMARY OF CELLULAR STRUCTURAL

COMPONENTS

TELETUBBIES | BSMLS 2F 16