What can be found in your cells?

Let's Biologue!
Jan 9, 2023
1 min read

Updated: May 18, 2023

Every single one of us is made up by cells.

But do you know how are they composed?

1. Cell membrane

The boundary between the interior of cells and the outside environment (extracellular matrix).

Composed by a phospholipid bilayer with cholesterols.

Within the membrane there is a variety of biological molecules such as proteins, lipids and carbohydrates.

FUNCTIONS: Controlling the movement of substances in (endocytosis) and out (exocytosis) of cells and organelles;

Selective permeability to ions and organic molecules;

Cell signalling and adhesion.

2. Nucleus

Composed by nuclear pores, which allow the selective passage of substances between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, cromatin, which refers to the organized DNA, the nucleoplasm which contains many proteins, DNA, RNA, and minerals and the nucleolus where the syntesis and assembly of ribosomes occur.

FUNCTIONS: Storage of the genetic information of the cell - DNA;

Control cell growth, division and protein synthesis;

Regulates cell metabolism.

3. Cytoplasm

It is the material outside of the nucleus. Includes the cytosil - gel-fluid that fills the gaps inside of a cell - and the organelles.

Composed mainly by water and proteins, salts, sugars, aminoacods, carbohydrates and nucleotides.

FUNCTIONS: Supports and suspends cellular molecules and organelles;

Helps the movimentation of items inside the cell (example: hormones).

4. Ribosomes

Ribosomes are organelles made of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein, thus facilitating protein synthesis.

Composed by 2 assimetrical subunits.

They can be found attached to the endoplasmatic reticulum (RE) or/and suspended in the cytosol.

FUNCTION: Protein synthesis.

5. Endoplasmatic reticulum (ER)

Corresponds to interconnected membranous channels associated to the nuclear membrane.

It may be Smooth or Rough ER. Smooth - it is a transitional area for transport vesicles, synthesis of carbohydrates and lipids and lipids and steroids modification. The Rough ER modifies and transports proteins synthesized by the ribosomes attached to the membrane.

FUNCTION: Transport and modification of molecules.

6. Mitochondria

Composed by inner and outer membrane and mitochondrial DNA.

Oxygen and glucose are converted into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is used by cells for energy.

Differents cells have different amounts of mitochondria because they might need more or less energy.

FUNCTION: Cellular respiration in cells - chemical energy.

7. Golgi Apparatus

Membranouns channels with 2 different compartments: a cis-Golgi network (CGN) responsible for the uptake of proteins and a trans-Golgi network (CGN) where the packaging into vesicles occurs.

The vesicles that exit the rough endoplasmatic reticulum are taken to the Golgi apparatus.

FUNCTIONS: Collection of proteind, preparation for transport (vesicles) and shipping for the correct destination.

8. Vacuoles

Small storage organelles composed by a single membrane layer.

They can contain gas (such as carbon dioxide or oxygen) or fluid (such as water).

FUNCTION: Storage and management of wasting products of the cell (toxins included).

9. Vesicles

They are very similar to vacuoles. There are some specialized vesicles: lysosomes and peroxisomes. The first ones contain protein enzymes to break down macromolecules and the second ones are involved in oxidative digestion.

FUNCTION: Cellular transportation and metabolism

10. Centrosomes

Contain centrioles - small gatherings of microtubules that help cell division during mitosis.

FUNCTION: Organization and synthesis of microtubules.

11. Cytoskeleton

A network of filaments and tubules

FUNCTIONS: Placement of organelles

Cell strength and shape

Transport within the cell

References

https://sciencetrends.com/the-parts-of-an-animal-cell/

Callista Images/Image Source via Getty Image