CELL, CYTOPLASM & NUCLEUS 

Abraham A.A. Osinubi; M.B.,B.S.; M.Sc.; Ph.D.; FACE Department of Anatomy, 

College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria 
OUTLINE/OBJECTIVES At the end of the lecture, the student should have 
acquired adequate knowledge on: 
1. Evolvement of multicellularity and cell specialization 2. Composition of cell 
cytoplasm 3. Different zones of the cytoplasm 4. Membrane-bound organelles 5. 
Non-membrane- bound organelles 6. Cell nucleus 7. Components of the nucleus 8. 
Applied & Clinical Anatomy 
INTRODUCTION 
• From prokaryotic to eukaryotic cells 
• Evolvement of multicellularity cell specialization 
• The hallmark of multicellular life is the ability of diverse cellular types to work together 
to allow development, physiologic responses, & reproduction of the entire organism as a 
whole CELL 
• Nucleus 
• Cytoplasm 
– Expresses most of functions of cell – Dependent on nucleus for direction, renewal & 
regeneration – Nucleus/Cytoplasmic ratio varies; 1:3-5 
CYTOPLASM (I) 
• Homogeneous, generally clear jelly-like material that fills cells 
• Consists of cytosol & cellular organelles, except the nucleus 
• Cytosol is made up of water, salts & organic molecules & many enzymes that catalyze 
reactions 
• Cytosol makes up ~70% of the cell volume 
•  Aqueous  component  of  the  cytoplasm  (~80%)  is  composed  of  ions  &  soluble 
macromolecules  such  as  enzymes,  carbohydrates,  different  salts  &  proteins,  as  well  as  a 
great proportion of RNA 
• The cytoplasm's watery component is also known as hyaloplasm 
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CYTOPLASM (II) 
•  The  watery  component  can  be  more  or  less  gel-like  or  liquid  depending  on 
the  milieu's  conditions  &  the  activity  phases  of  the  cell.  In  the  1st  case,  it  can 
be referred to as cytogel & is a viscid solid mass. In the 2nd case, called cytosol 
• In general, margin regions of the cell are gel-like and the cell's interior is 
liquid 
ZONES OF CYTOPLASM 
• ZONE A 
• ZONE B 
• ZONE C DETAILS TO BE SUPPLIED IN THE CLASS 
CELL ORGANELLES Non-membranous Organelles 
◆ Cytoskeleton ◆ Centrioles ◆ Ribosomes 
Cytoskeleton 4 major components: 
1. Microfilaments (mostly actin) 2. Intermediate filaments 3. Thick filaments 
(composed of myosin subunits) 4. Microtubules (composed of tubulin 
subunits) Functions: support & movement of cellular structures & materials 
• Microvilli 
– 1 μm long, 0.08 μm wide 
• Centrioles 
– 0.3-0.5 μm in length, 0.15 μm wide 
• Cilium 
– 5-10 μm in length, 0.2 μm wide 
• Flagellum 
– 100 μm long 
• Stereocilia 
– Longer than microvilli; nonmotile 
© Abraham A.A. Osinubi (2010) Page 2 
 
Microvilli 
• Inside microvilli are clusters of actin filaments that are cross- linked to each 
other & to the surrounding plasma membrane 
• ATP supplies the energy for the propelling actions of cilia 
Ribosomes 
•  Ribosomes  contain  RNA  &  are  therefore  intensely basophilic- the cytoplasm 
of cells rich in ribosomes stain with basophilic dye such as haematoxylin 
• Free ribosomes synthesize soluble proteins for cytoplasm & nucleus 
Fixed Ribosomes 
•  All  protein  synthesis  begins  on  free  polyribosomes.  mRNAs  of  proteins 
(destined  for  segregation  in  ER)  contain  xtra  sequence  of  bases  that  code  for 
Signal  Sequence  (20-24  aa)-  recognized  &  bound  by  Signal  Recognition 
Particle- blocks further elongation until mRNA is attached to rER 
•  SRP-ribosome  complex is in turn bound by docking proteins located on rER. 
SRP is then released allowing transcription to proceed 
• Ribophorins I & II on rER bind to ribosomes & form a channel for newly 
synthesized proteins 
Membranous Organelles 
Mitochondria 
• 0.5-1 μm wide; up to 10 μm in length 
• Tend to accumulate in areas of high metabolic activity such as apical ends of 
ciliated cells, in the middle piece of spermatozoa, or at the base of 
ion-transferring cells Functions: 
• Transformation of chemical energy of the metabolites in cytoplasm into one 
that is easily accessible to the cell Number: 
• Number in a cell reflect its general energy requirement. 2000 in heptocytes. 
Few in resting lymphocytes 
• Mature RBCs lack mitochondria; rely mainly on glycolysis for energy 
supplies 
© Abraham A.A. Osinubi (2010) Page 3 
 
Composition: 
• Mainly proteins. Lipids present to a lesser degree, along with small 
quantities of DNA & RNA Membranes: 
• Outer & inner 
• Inner memb have folds (cristae) projected into the organelle 2 Spaces: 
• Intramembranous, continuous with the intracristal spaces 
• Intercristal/Matrix space- enclosed by the inner memb & is in turn 
penetrated by the cristae Cristae 
• Cristae more numerous & complex in cells with high metabolic rate than in 
relatively inactive ones 
• Most have flat, shelf-like cristae, however, cells that secrete steroids 
frequently contain tubular cristae 
•  Cristae  increase  the internal surface area of mitochondria, & is on these that 
enzymes  &  other  compounds  involved  in  the  oxidative  phosphorylation  &  e- 
transport systems are located 
•  B/w  the  cristae  is  an  armophous  matrix  rich  in  protein  &  containinig  some 
DNA & RNA. In the matrix are rounded e-- dense granules rich in Ca & Mg 
Permeability of membranes 
•  Outer  memb  freely  permeable  to  many  substances  b/c  of  the  presence  of 
large  nonspecific  channels  formed  by  porins  while  inner  permeable  to  only  a 
narrow  range  of  molecules.  Presence  of  cardiolipin  in  inner  membrane  may 
contribute to this relative impermeability 
QUIZ 
• Enzymes for Krebs cycle & fatty acid β-oxidation reside ............................ 
• Inner membrane contains ............................................................................................. 
•  Under  aerobic  conditions the combined activity of extramitochondrial glycolysis & 
the  citric  acid  cycle  as  well  as  the  e-  transport  system gives rise to ............ molecules 
of ATP/ mole of glucose 
• This is ....... energy obtainable under anaerobic circumstances when only the 
glycolytic pathway is utilized 
© Abraham A.A. Osinubi (2010) Page 4 
 
Smooth & Rough ER 
•  Granular/rough/rER  has  fine  granules,  ribosomes  of  ribonucleo-  protein 
(RNP),  l5  nm in diameter, in clusters studding the outer surface of the parallel 
membranes 
– related to protein synthesis 
• Agranular/smooth lacks the ribosomes & is more tubular 
– associated with cholesterol metabolism among other things 
Golgi Apparatus 
• Complex transit region of smooth-surfaced tubules, sacs & flat chambers 
varying considerably in size 
•  Concentrates,  modifies  &  packages  certain  secretory  products  to  await 
transport  to  the  cell  membrane  for  release,  or  application  to  some 
intracellular purpose 
•  Glycoconjugates  are  finished  by  adding  remaining  sugars  (using 
glycosyltransferases), e.g., in cartilage & mucus-secreting goblet cells 
• May be more than one in large cells 
Lysosomes 
® Round, single-membrane-limited, darkly staining bodies 
without cristae & containing hydrolytic enzymes 
NUCLEUS 
• Shape- variable- rounded, elongated. 
• Location- variable- centrally 
• Size- variable: 5-10 μm 
• Components: Nuclear envelope, Chromatin, Nucleous & 
Nucloplasm/Nuclear matrix 
Nuclear Envelope 
• 2 parallel unit membranes separated by a perinuclear cisterna: 40-70 nm 
• Outer membrane usually continuous with rER 
• Inner membrane closely associated with a protein structure = fibrous lamina 
[FL] (80 – 300 nm in thickness) 
• The FL is composed of 3 main pp called lamins, that form part of the nuclear 
matrix 
• Nuclear pores: ~70 nm, bridged by e--dense membrane Chromatin 
© Abraham A.A. Osinubi (2010) Page 5 
 
• Interphase form chromosomes. 2 types 
• Heterochromatin: e--dense & appears as coarse granules in the EM ; visible 
in the LM as basophilic clumps of nucleoprotein 
• Euchromatin: visible as an organized structure only in EM 
• Chromatin is composed mainly of coiled strands of DNA bound to basic 
proteins (histones) 
Nuclear Matrix 
• Fills the space b/w the chromatin & nucleoli in nucleus 
• Composed mainly of proteins, metabolites, ions, fibrous lamina 
Cell Inclusions 
▣ Small non-living, non-participating, poorly structured cell elements, very 
rarely seen in an intra-nuclear position; usually cytoplasmic ▣ Non-motile 
material that are often result of metabolic activity of 
cells in which they're found ▣ Often representing a form of stored food, not 
immediately vital 
to life processes ▣ Frequently the build-up of matter in vacuoles that 
cannot be 
broken down by the cell's waste elimination mechanisms. ▣ Usually but not 
limited to structural proteins. It can also be an 
insoluble agent or drug ▣ Also called metaplasm 
Examples of Inclusion Bodies 
• TO BE SUPPLIED IN THE CLASS 
THANKS, REMAIN BLESSED FOREVER 
QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS 
E-mail: abrahamosinubi@abrahamosinubi.com 
abrahamosinubi@yahoo.co.uk 
Website: www.abrahamosinubi.com 
© Abraham A.A. Osinubi (2010) Page 6