Lecture 4_Detailed

The
endomembrane
system…

PLEASE NOTE:

• for lecture 4 we will revisit some topics from lectures 1 & 2, but then go into a little bit
more detail.
• you will benefit from revising lectures 1& 2, before working through lecture 4

• information for Lecture 4 is from an *external resource, but all the necessary
information is provided in this detailed PDF version of lecture 4 ☺

* Biology: A Global Approach (11th Edition) by Campbell, N.A., Urry, L.A., Cain, M.L., Wasserman,
S.A., Minorsky, P.V. & Reece, J.B. (2018). Pearson Education.
 Lecture 4_Detailed
From Lecture 2…
• Cell membrane phospholipid bi-layer with ________
imbedded in it…
• …allow for passive transport
• by means of ________ (for non-polar molecules, e.g. _____)
• by means of ________ (for polar molecules, e.g. _________)
• by means of _________ (for highly specific molecules, e.g.__)

LEARNING
But…. what about large molecules?
OBJECTIVE:
How does a cell transport a large
molecule like a protein? LECTURE 4
LECTURE 4: HOMEWORK

❑ Animation: Animation: endomembrane system (+ RECAP)

 The endomembrane system
“regulates protein traffic and performs metabolic functions”

Group of membranes and organelles in eukaryotic cells that

works together to modify, package, and transport large
molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids)
these include:
• Nuclear envelope
• Endoplasmic reticulum (rough ER covered with
ribosomes- not membrane bounded) - LECTURE 1
• Golgi apparatus - LECTURE 1
• Lysosomes - LECTURE 1
• Vesicles and vacuoles - LECTURE 1
• Plasma membrane - LECTURE 2
NOTE: Eukaryotic cells contain a variety of internal membrane-bound organelles that are not a
part of the endomembrane system. These include mitochondria, chloroplasts and peroxisomes.
The endomembrane system
Membranes of this system are related:
• Through direct physical continuity or,
• The transfer of membrane segments as tiny as vesicles
(sacs made of membrane).
 The cell nucleus

• Contains most of the genes in

the eukaryotic cell
• Double membrane (lipid bilayer
with associated proteins)
• Nuclear envelope- encloses
nucleus, separating its contents
from cytoplasm.
• Nucleolus (plural nucleoli)-
function in ribosome synthesis.
 1 μm Nucleus
Nucleus
Nucleolus

Chromatin
Nuclear envelope:
Outer membrane
Inner membrane
Nuclear pore

Rough
ER
Pore
Surface of complex
nuclear envelope Ribosome
(TEM)

Close-up
0.25 μm

Chromatin
of nuclear
envelope
0.5 μm

Pore complexes (TEM) Nuclear lamina (TEM)

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 Ribosomes (not membrane bounded)
• Complexes made of ribosomal RNAs and proteins
• Carry out protein synthesis in: cytosol & where
attached to ER/ nuclear envelope)
• Proteins from free ribosomes: mostly function within
the cytosol (e.g. lysis)
• Proteins from bound ribosomes: generally destined
for insertion into membranes, for packaging within e.g.
lysosomes, or secretion
Cells that specialise in protein secretion (e.g. cell of pancreas),
have high number of ribosomes.
 DNA

1 Synthesis of
mRNA
mRNA

NUCLEUS
CYTOPLASM

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 DNA

1 Synthesis of
mRNA
mRNA

NUCLEUS
CYTOPLASM

mRNA
2 Movement of
mRNA into
cytoplasm

© 2018 Pearson Education, Ltd.

 DNA

1 Synthesis of
mRNA
mRNA

NUCLEUS
CYTOPLASM

mRNA
2 Movement of
mRNA into
cytoplasm Ribosome

3 Synthesis of
protein

Amino
Polypeptide acids
© 2018 Pearson Education, Ltd.
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
‘Biosynthetic factory’

• Network of membranous tubules and sacs;

cisterna
• ER membrane separates internal
compartment (lumen/ cisternal space)
from cytosol
• Two distinct regions (though connected):
• Rough ER
• Smooth ER
• Rough and Smooth ER differ
in structure and function.
Functions of the smooth ER

• Functions in metabolic processes, which vary

with cell type
• Enzymes of smooth ER: important role in the
synthesis of lipids (including oils, steroids, and
new membrane phospholipids.), metabolism of
carbohydrates, detoxification of drugs and
poisons, and storage of calcium ions
 Functions of the rough ER
• Produce secretory proteins

• Adds membrane proteins and phospholipids to its own

membrane

• Produce membrane phospholipids; (enzymes built into

the ER membrane assemble phospholipids from
precursors in the cytosol)

• ER membrane expands, and portions of it are

transferred in the form of transport vesicles to other
components of the endomembrane system
Smooth ER

Rough ER Nuclear
envelope

ER lumen
Cisternae
Ribosomes Transitional
ER
Transport vesicle
 Golgi apparatus 1. Vesicles move
‘Shipping and receiving center’ from ER to Golgi.
2. Vesicles coalesce
6. Vesicles to form new cis
also transport Golgi cisternae.
certain
proteins cis face
3. Cisternal maturation:
back to ER, (“receiving” side of Golgi cisternae move
Golgi apparatus) Cisternae
their site in a cis-to-trans direction.
of function.
4. Vesicles form
and leave Golgi,
carrying specific
products to other
locations or to the
plasma membrane
for secretion.

5. Vesicles transport
some proteins
backward to less trans face
mature Golgi cisternae, (“shipping” side of
where they function. Golgi apparatus)
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Lysosomes

• Lysis = disintegration/
decomposition/ to break
down…
• Lysosomes are ‘digestive
compartments’
 Lysosomes
• Membranous sac of hydrolytic enzymes

• Hydrolytic enzymes are used by many eukaryotic cells to

digest (hydrolyse) macromolecules

• Maintain an acidic environment for optimal function

• Hydrolytic enzymes and lysosomal membrane are made

by rough ER, transferred to Golgi apparatus for further
processing

• Some lysosomes arise by budding from the trans face

of the Golgi apparatus
 1. Lysosome contains 2. Lysosome fuses
active hydrolytic with food vacuole.
enzymes.
3. Hydrolytic enzymes
digest food particles.

“phag”/ “phago” = to consume 1. Lysosome fuses with vesicle

containing damaged organelles.

2. Hydrolytic enzymes
digest organelle components.

“auto” = self/same/occurring within/spontaneous

© 2018 Pearson Education, Ltd.
 Cell Component Structure
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Extensive network of membrane-
bounded tubules and sacs; mem-
(Nuclear
envelope) brane separates lumen from
cytosol; continuous with nuclear
envelope
Golgi apparatus Stacks of flattened membranous
sacs; has polarity (cis and trans
faces)
Lysosome Membranous sac of hydrolytic
enzymes (in animal cells)
Vacuole Large membrane-bounded vesicle
© 2018 Pearson Education, Ltd.
Function
Smooth ER: synthesis of lipids,
metabolism of carbohydrates, Ca2+
storage, detoxification of drugs and
poisons
Rough ER: aids in synthesis of secre-
tory and other proteins on bound
ribosomes; adds carbohydrates to
proteins to make glycoproteins;
produces new membrane
Modification of proteins,
carbohydrates on proteins, and
phospholipids; synthesis of many
polysaccharides; sorting of Golgi
products, which are then released
In vesicles
Breakdown of ingested substances,
cell macromolecules, and damaged
organelles for recycling
Digestion, storage, waste disposal,
water balance, cell growth, and
protection
 Animation: endomembrane system (+ RECAP)

© 2018 Pearson Education, Ltd.

 LECTURE 4: HOMEWORK

❑ Animation: Animation: endomembrane system (+ RECAP)

Next: organic molecules of living organisms

CHAPTER TWO
(p. 63 – 76)

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