Non membranous

organelles
By
Dr. Shereen Hamed
Lecturer of Histology & Cell Biology Faculty of
Medicine, Mansoura University
 Non membranous organelles
Ribosomes
Cytoplasmic filaments
Microtubules
Centrioles
Cilia
Flagella.
 Ribosomes
They are non-
membranous cell
organelles.

Very small spherical

bodies, 20-30 nm in
diameter.
 LM

•Stain: With hematoxylin

(basophilic) due to the
presence of phosphate
groups in rRNA.
 EM

It appears as an electron
dense granule
composed of two subunits
(small and large subunits).
Each ribosomal subunit is
composed of ribosomal RNA
(rRNA) and proteins.
 :Functions of ribosomes

Ribosomes synthesize proteins, as they

translate the message, which is carried by
mRNA.
 types

Free ribosomes Attached ribosomes

synthesizing proteins
that are segregated
synthesizing proteins
inside rER to be
.for the use of the cell
secreted either
outside the cell
 types

Free ribosomes Attached ribosomes

synthesizing proteins
that are segregated
synthesizing proteins
inside rER to be
.for the use of the cell
secreted either
outside the cell
 Cytoplasmic filaments

They are non-membranous

organelles

Thread–like structures.
Present in variable amount
in different cells.
 CYTOPLASMIC
FILAMENTS

Intermediate
Thin filaments Thick filaments
filaments
6-7nm 12-16nm
10-12nm
Actin Myosin
Muscles contraction In muscle: in
association with actin
filaments forming the
Microvilli movement .myofibrils

Cleavage furrow cell

division
 Intermediate filaments
 5 types
 Non -Contractile
 In muscles, nerve cells and
epithelial cells
 Supporting and maintaining
the shape of the cell.
 Tumor identification
 MICROTUBULES

Pipe-like structure of unfixed

length, but are of uniform
diameter (25 nm).

Distribution: All over the

cytoplasm
MICROTUBULES
 Functions of Microtubules
1- Cytoskeleton support, maintain and stabilize
the shape of the cell.
2-Maintain asymmetrical shape of the cell.
 Functions of Microtubules
3-Mitotic spindle
formation.

4-The main structural

component of
centeriole, cilia and
flagella.
 :Clinical hints
Cytotoxic drugs prevent the assembly of
new microtubules.
Therefore, these drugs are used in
malignant diseases as they arrest
mitosis.
 References
• Principles of histology, (student book of
Histology & Cell Biology Department, faculty
of medicine, Mansoura university)

• Basic Histology, text book of histology & cell

biology

• Prof.dr. Nesreen Moustafa’s short notes