CYTOPLASMIC

INCLUSIONS
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Prepared by
DR.JAVERIA.M.ARIF
Clinical pharmacist/Lecturer
PHARM-D,M-phil
(pharmacy practice)
 ◤ CYTOPLASMIC INCLUSIONS

 The cytoplasmic inclusions are the temporary

components of certain cells. These may or may not
be enclosed in the membrane. A few examples of
cytoplasmic inclusions are:
 LIPID DROPLETS. These are seen in the cells
of adipose tissue, liver and adrenal cortex.
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CYTOPLASMIC INCLUSIONS

 Glycogen. It is seen in the cells of liver and

skeletal muscles.
 Proteins as secretory granules are seen in the
secretory glandular cells.
 Melanin pigment is seen in the cells of epidermis,
retina and basal ganglia.
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CYTOPLASMIC INCLUSIONS

 Lipofuscin. It is a yellow brown pigment believed

to be derived from secondary lysosomes and is seen
in the cardiac muscle and brain cells of elderly
people.
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CYTOSKELETON
 The cytoskeleton is a complex network of fibers
that maintains the structure of the cell and allows it
to change shape and move. It primarily consists of:
 Microtubules

 Intermediate filaments

 Microfilaments
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MICROTUBULES
 Microtubules are long hollow tubular structures
without limiting membrane about 25 nm in diameter.
 These are made up of two globular protein subunits α- and
β-tubulin.
 The bundles of tubulin give structural strength to the
cells. Microtubules form the transport system of the cells.
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MICROTUBULES

 Some of the other organelles and protein

molecules move to a different part of the cell
through the microtubules.
 Kinesin and dynein known as molecular motors help
in the movement of molecules through the
microtubules.
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MICROTUBULES

 The cilia and flagella which project from surface of

certain cells (spermatozoa, respiratory mucosa and
fallopian tubes) are also composed of microtubules
enclosed in the plasma membrane and are active in the
locomotion of the cells.
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INTERMEDIATE FILAMENTS

 Intermediate filaments are filamentous

structures about 10 nm in diameter.
 Some of these filaments connect the
nuclear membrane to the cell membrane.
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INTERMEDIATE FILAMENTS

 Their main function is to mechanically integrate the

cell organelles within the cytoplasm. In their absence,
cells rupture more easily; and when they are
abnormal in human, blistering of the skin is common.
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MICROFILAMENTS

 Microfilaments are long solid filamentous

structures having a diameter of 6–8 nm. These are
made up of contractile proteins, actin and myosin.
Actin is the most abundant protein in the
mammalian cell. It attaches to various parts of
cytoskeleton by other proteins (anchor proteins).
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MICROFILAMENTS

 Extension of microfilaments along with the plasma

membrane on the surface of the cells forms microvilli
which increase the absorptive surface of the cells (e.g.
intestinal epithelium). In the skeletal muscle,
presence of actin and myosin filaments is responsible
for their contractile property
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