Histology Department

e
Seham ahmed
mohammed
Abdelaziz
Lecturer of
histology
MEMBRANOUS
ORGANELLES
 THE C ELL
General Characteristics:
It is the structural and functional unit of all living tissues (plants and animals) .۱
capable of independent existence.
Structure: .۲
The cell is a mass of protoplasm that consists of two major
components:
The cytoplasm. •
Karyoplasm (Nucleus). •
The cytoplasm. a-Organelles: differentiated metabolically •
active units of living matter, essential for vital processes of the
cell (respiration , digestion , secretion, excretion , growth ...
etc).
b-Inclusions (Cytoplasmic Deposits): They are inert metabolites that
are usually temporary components, not essential for vitality of
cells. They may be present or absent.
- Membranous Organelles:
They are permanent structures in nucleated
cells.
They contain enzymes.
They are enclosed in membranes and
participate in cellular metabolism.
They are cell membrane, mitochondria,
Golgi complex, lysosomes, peroxisomes,
endoplasmic reticulum(rough and smooth)
and coated vesicles.
 Non-membranous Membranous
Organelles CEL (E/M) Organelles
L
Cytoplasm
Inclusions
Lysosomes

Cell (E/M)

Peroxisomes
Centriole
s
Cell membrane
Lipi
d
Golgi complex

Ribosom
es Nucleus & nucleolus
Glycoge
n Mitochondria
Microfilame
Site. Ln
Mt
Structure RE
EM ER
Chem.C.
R
Functions. Microtubule SE
odifications. C.V. R
s
THE CELL MEMBRANE (PLASMALEMMA)
I-Site: It is an ultrathin membrane that surrounds the cell
(80-100 Angstrom).
II- Structure:
Light microscope (LM): It is very thin and difficult to be
seen. It appears dark brown by silver stain.
Electron microscope (E/M): It appears as two dark
layers, separated by a light one, (trilaminar membrane).c-
Chemical composition (Molecular biology): The cell
membrane is made of (lipids, proteins,, and
carbohydrates).
The Lipid Component: It consists of three major
classes of lipids (phospholipids, glycolipids and
cholesterol). Phospholipids are arranged into a
double layer. Each molecule has two ends, polar
and non-polar.
Thepolar ends (heads): are hydrophilic,
charged and directed outwards and appear
dark (dense) layers in electron microscope as
a result of deposition of osmium used in E/M
preparation.
The non-polar ends (tails): are hydrophobic,
non-charged and directed inwards. Thus the
phospholipid bilayer is formed of two parallel
layers of phospholipid molecules lying tail to tail.
The Protein Component: arranged as
Extrinsic protein (Peripheral proteins): It is
loosely attached protein molecules, on both
surfaces of cell membrane. It can be easily
removed from cell membranes without disrupting
the lipid bilayer.
Intrinsic protein (Integral proteins): It consists
of small or large protein molecules, firmly
embedded in the lipid bilayer. Some large
integral proteins called transmembrane
proteins extend the entire width of the
plasmalemma (lipid bilayer) and protrude from
both membrane surfaces.
They are called one-pass or multipass
transmembrane proteins.
Some transmembrane proteins are concerned for
the transport of certain molecules in aqueous
solution in both directions in the two-way traffic (in &
out the cell).
The integral proteins have similar to lipid bilayer,
hydrophilic (polar- charged) regions at the outer
and inner surfaces of the membrane which appear
dark in EM preparations and central pale
hydrophobic (nonpolar- uncharged) regions in the
hydrophobic (central) part of the lipid bilayer.
The cell Coat (glycocalyx): It is a layer of glycoprotein
or glycolipid, on the external surface of the cell
membrane. It plays a role in immunological specificity,
contains blood group antigens, has receptor sites,
holds the cells together, shares in the formation of the
basement membrane of epithelial tissues and acts as a
protective mechanical barrier.
k
- Functions of the cell membrane:
1- Simple transport (diffusion): Gases and water can
pass into the cell by a simple process of diffusion.
2- Active transport:Large molecules as sugar need
energy to enter the cell.
This is carried through certain enzymatic reactions.
3- Selective Permeability: The cell membrane has the
power to select the material. This is carried through
specific receptors the cell surface. It explains how
drugs&hormonesact on specific cells or organs.
4- Sodium-Potassium Pump:The cell membrane
always keeps the Na concentrated outside the cell,
while the K is kept concentrated inside the cell
membrane.
•Phagocytosis:It is the power of the cell membrane to pass
a solid particle, forming a phagosome.
•Pinocytosis: It is the power of the cell membrane to enclose
& pass a driblet of fluid, forming a pinocytic vesicle.
7-Exocytosis:It is the power of the cell membrane to
extrude waste products,outside the cell.
•Cell Coat (Glycocalyx) and its function.
Mitochondria
1-Site & size: They are membranous
cytoplasmic organelles
visible in living cells
by phase contrast microscope.
They vary in number and size. They can move,
divide& fuse.
Their number in a cell depends on its energy
requirements.
•Structure: a-Light microscope (LM): They appear
as rods, granules or filaments
•, after staining with Iron Hx.or Janus green.
• b-Electron microscope (E/M):
 Mitochondria are enclosed by two
membranes, each has a trilaminar
substructure.
The outer membrane is smooth, while
the inner one forms incomplete
alternating shelves (cristae), which
extend in the interior of the
mitochondrion.
The cavity is filled with mitochondrial
matrix rich in oxidative enzymes together
with dense granules.
c- Chemical composition (Molecular
biology):
Mitochondria consist of lipids,proteins,
carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and all the
types of RNA, DNA and oxidative enzymes
(enzymes of kreb’s cycle &adenosine
triphosphate ATP).
The matrix granules are formed of
phospho-lipo-proteins binding Ca and Mg.
Functions:

1- They are the respiratory apparatus of the cell,

concerned with the release of energy
due to their content of oxidative enzymes
(powerhouse of the cell).
2- They can form proteins for themselves,
as they contain DNA and
RNA and are capable of self-replication(division).
3- They are concerned with
concentration of ions as ca.
4- They are strongly related to
heat production in the brown fat of newborn.
GOLGI BODY (GOLGI COMPLEX)
1- Site: It is a membranous cytoplasmic organelle,
is considered as the secretory apparatus of the cell.
•It is always located between the nucleus and periphery .
•In secretory (exocrine) cells it lies between the nucleus
•and secretory pole of the cell
• (apical position in epididymis).
⚫ In nerve cells, it surrounds the nucleus
⚫ Structure:
⚫ Light microscope (LM):
⚫ It appears as a network of fibrils, after staining
with silver.
⚫ In Hx and E. preparations, its site appears as an
⚫ unstained area(negative Golgi image)..
Electron microscope (E/M):.۱

It is formed of three shapes of membranous components.

I. Flattened vesicles (Cisternae):
consisting of elongated parallel sacs
piled one upon the other to form stacks. Each has an
inner, concave surface (trans, mature), facing thecell surface
and an outer convex surface (cis, forming, immature) facing the cell base.
They are the sites of protein concentrations.
I.Transfer or transport vesicles (microvesicles): They carry the
protein from the rough endoplasmic reticulum(RER)
to outer convex immature surface of the flatted vesicles (cis face).
I.Macrovesicles (Condensing Vacuoles): They are large distended
vesicles that separate from the mature face of flattened
vesicles.They either discharge their enzymes outside the cell
(zymogen granules) or remain in the cell as lysosomes.
 E/M of Golgi complex

Saccules Stacks (3- l0 saccules)

E/M of Golgi complex
Secretory vesicles
Transfer vesicles.
Functions of the Golgi apparatus:
Concentration of the secretory products,
received from the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
2-Discharge of secretory products (secretion).
3-It adds carbohydrates to its protein content to
form glycoprotein, either for secretion or for
maintenance of the cell coat.
4- Formation and maintenance of cell membrane and
cell coat.
5- Formation of lysosomes (lysosomal enzymes are
formed by RER, transferred to the Golgi apparatus
where it is modified and backed as lysosomes
Functions:(Secretory apparatus)

1-
Secretion
2- Protein modification
1-Glycosylation
2-sulfation
3- phosphorylation
LYSOSOMES
Site & origin: They are membranous
rounded vesicles (organelles), considered as the
digestive apparatus of the cell. Lysosomes are
numerous in the phagocytic cells.
They originate from the Golgi apparatus and
their enzymes are formed in the
rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER).
Structure: a-Light microscope (LM):
They can be demonstrated by special
histochemical methods, for detection of their
enzymes.
b-Electron microscope (E/M):
1-Primary lysosomes :appear as homogenous vesicles,
surrounded by a single membrane.
2-Secondary lysosomes :
Heterolysosomes: formed by fusion of primary
lysosomes with phagosomes containing exogenous
substrates, as bacteria (Heterophagic vacuole).
Autolysosomes: formed by fusion of primary
lysosomes with phagosomes, containing endogenous
substrates as mitochondria (Autophagic vacuole).
Multivesicular bodies: formed by fusion of primary
lysosomes with pinocytic vesicles.
3-Residual bodies: They contain remains of indigestible
material or debris
Chemical composition:
Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes, active at an
acidic pH (acid hydrolases) as lipase and acid
phosphatases.
Lysosomal storage diseases are caused by
deficient lysosomal enzymes with the result of
accumulation of metabolic products.
Functions of lysosomes:
1-Digestion of nutrients.
3- Digestion of fluid droplets: The cell membrane
surrounds the fluid, forming pinocytic vesicles that fuse
in the cytoplasm forming multivesicular bodies.
2- Defensive mechanism against bacterial and viruses
4- Autophagocytosis: Lysosomes can get rid
organelles as broken of degenerated
mitochondria.
5- In the thyroid gland: Lysosomes help the
release of the active thyroid hormones.
6- During fertilization: They help the sperm
to penetrate the ovum.
7- Removal of dead cells and autolysis after
death.
8- Residual bodies play important role in the
aging process
Functions:
1- digestion
Fate of primary lysosomes
Multivesicular body
Clinical hint
Lysosomal storage diseases
developmental delay, movement disorders,
seizures, dementia, deafness, and or
blindness. Some hepatomegaly and
splenomegaly, pulmonary and cardiac
problems
ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM
General Characteristics:

It is a system of communicating membranous channels.

There is continuity between outer nuclear membrane and the
endoplasmic reticulum.
Some times the endoplasmicreticulum shows connection with
the plasma membrane, thus communicating with the outside
of the cell.
There are two types:Rough (Granular) & Smooth(Agranular)
due to the presence or absence of Ribosomes on the outer
surface.
In most cells, one form of Endoplasmic Reticulum usually
predominates depending on the activity of cells.
 Granular or Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (GER, RER) Agranular or Smoot

Endoplasmic
Diffes nces between Reti culum
h
Abuna
dann
protein forming cells (pla macells) t ind
lipidS
s am oroio
nd ste d ht hones forming
orm
Roug

es are attached to its outer ▪ No ribosomes are found on its surface.

surface.s basophilic areas. ▪ Can not be demonstrated.

of sheets & cavities (cisternae) bounded by ▪ Branching anastomosing tubules and vesicles
membranes.es attached to their outer surfaces. ▪ No ribosomes on the outer surfaces.

on of the protein, formed by the ribosomes on the 1. Synthesis and storage of fats.
surface.of the protein to the Golgi vesicles. 2. Synthesis of steroid hormones as testosteron
n of the cytoplasm from the effect of the contained 3. Glycogen formation in liver &muscle.
enzymes.s a site for attachment of ribosomes. 4. Formation of Hcl in stomach cells.
5. It helps muscular contraction, by acting as a c
6. Detoxification of drugs and hormones.