Lecture 1 :

Introduction to Histology and

Cell Structure
- Colours index :
Red : important
Grey : notes
Pink : Girls slides
 Objectives :

● What is histology and how it is studied?

● Composition of the cell: Light microscopic (L/M) and electron
microscopic (E/M) and
● function of each component:
1. Nucleus
2. Cytoplasm
● Organelles:
1. membranous and non-membranous
2. Inclusions
 Introduction :
Histology : Histology is the microscopic study of normal tissues. LM : Produce colourful images .
Types of microscopes: LM & EM EM : Produce black and white images .

Cells Tissues Organ

#note :
Thin sections are cut and mounted on glass slides.Sections are stained with The cytoplasm
Hematoxylin (H) and Eosin (E). becomes
- Nucleus is always Blue (basophilic) basophilic only
- Cytoplasm can be Red ( acidophilic) , or Blue (basophilic) . when it’s full of
ribosomes.
 NUCLEUS (L/M)
The Cell : Shape of nuclei :
● It Is the structural & functional unit of all living tissues.
● Cells have different shapes & sizes.

● THE CELL is made of:

1. Nucleus
2. Cytoplasm

# note :
Nucleus has many shapes as well
few cells are dinucleotide
Appearance of nuclei :

Dark Nucleus (Deeply-stained Vesicular (Open Face) Nucleus

Nucleus) Deeply Basophilic Nucleus

Inactive cell because Active cell because

the nucleus contains the nucleus contains
heterochromatin Euchromatin
The Nucleus:

Formed of :
1. Nuclear envelope
2. Chromatin
3. Nucleolus
4. Nucleoplasm

Function of the nucleus :

● It’s essential for the vitality and division of the cell
● It’s the site of storage of genetic information
● It’s the site of formation of the three types of RNA (rRNA , mRNA , tRNA)
 Nuclear envelope :

Definition:
A double membrane with many pores surroundings the
Nucleus .

Formed of :
1- Outer membrane
2- Inner membrane #note :
3- Nuclear pores ( provide communication between nucleus * the only double
and cytoplasm) membrane surrounded
structures in the cell are
Nucleus and
Mitochondria .
Chromatin :
Formed of DNA and protein

Two forms of chromatin :

1.Euchromatin : extended active chromatin

electron-lucent areas =(pale)
2.Heterochromatin : condensed inactive chromatin
electron-dense areas (dark)

Functions of chromatin
● Carries genetic information .
● Directs protein synthesis .
 3- Nucleolus:
● E/M : appear mostly as dark mass (electron-dense) (the largest one).
● L/M : appear as spherical dark basophilic mass.
● Usually one .
● Not surrounded by a membrane .

Function : formation of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) witch responsible for

protein synthesis in the cytoplasm .

4- Nucleoplasm:
It is a clear fluid medium in which all the contents of the nucleus are
embedded.

Function:Provides a medium for movement of 3 types of RNA

(ribosomal , messenger and transfer RNA) from the nucleus to the
cytoplasm.
 Sex chromatin (Barr body) :

● A dark stained mass of chromatin , usually adherent to the inner

aspect of the nuclear envelope of female somatic cells
e.g. Buccal epithelial cells.

● A drumstick mass protruding from the nucleus of neutrophils.

● Represents one of the two X chromosomes which is inactive

(condensed) in normal female (heterochromatin).

● Seen in normal female cells.

● Absent in normal males cells .

● Absent in females with Turner’s syndrome XO.

● Seen in males with Klinefelter’s syndrome XXY.

Cytoplasm is formed of
Membranous : cell membrane
They are mitochondria
specialized endoplasmic
Organelles: structures , reticulum
essential for vital golgi apparatus
processes of the lysosomes
cell. secretory vesicles

They are not Ribosomes

essential for non-membranous: Centrioles
vitality of cells , cilia and Flagella
Inclusions: may be present or Filaments (actin,
absent. myosin
intermediate
Examples are filaments).
Cytoskeleton (Actin,
lipids , glycogen
Intermediate
and pigments like
filaments,
melanin &
Microtubules).
lipofuscin.
A)Membranous
Cell Membrane:
A very thin membrane that surrounds the cell. Acts a Selective
Barrier.

Chemical structure of cell membrane :

Phospholipid Protein Carbohydrate

molecules: molecules: molecules: How does the cell membrane
appear under the microscope ?
arranged in 2 a) Peripheral protein attached to either
layers(bilipidlayers). b) Integral protein proteins(glycoproteins) or
lipids(glycolipids), forming
the surface or cell coat
EM(Electron
LM (Light Microscope) : Microscope):2dark lines
Not visible separated by a light line (
Trilaminar appearance ) .

FUNCTION of (Glycocalyx)
• Protection of the cell
• Cell recognition and adhesion
 Specializations of cell membrane:

Specializations of cell membrane:

Cilia:
Long motile hair-like structures surrounded by cell membrane.
Their core is formed of microtubules.
Cilia

Microvilli (Brush border):

Cylindrical cytoplasmic projections of apical surface to increase surface area.
Their core contains actin filaments.

Microvilli
Mitochondria:

• Each mitochondrion is rod-shaped .

• The wall is composed of 2 membranes.
• The outer is smooth, the inner is folded to form
cristae.
• The cavity is filled with mitochondrial matrix,
which contains enzymes. Also contains its own DNA.

Function:
1) Generation of ATP “ they are called the power house “
2) They can form their own proteins and undergo self replication.because the have their own DNA
 Type of Endoplasmic Reticulum
Endoplasmic Reticulum:
It is a system of communicating
membranous rubles , vesicles , and ROUGH ENDOPLASMIC SMOOTH ENDOPLASMIC
flattened vesicles ( cisternae ) RETICULUM RETICULUM

Membranous sheets of flattened Membranous tubules and vesicles,

tubules & vesicles with ribosomes with NO ribosomes on the surface.
on the surface.

FUNCTION: FUNCTION:
Extra information: 1) Synthesis of proteins by 1) Synthesis of lipids & cholesterol.
ribosomes on its outer surface. 2) Synthesis of steroid hormones,
Smooth ER is more 2) Transfer vesicles transfer the e.g. cortisone. 3) Helps muscle
abundant in the liver formed protein to Golgi. contraction, by acting as a
because of his ability calcium pump.
in detoxification 4) Detoxification of drugs & toxins.
 Golgi Apparatus:

• The secretory apparatus of the cell.

• Consists of stacked saucer-shaped flattened vesicles.

Convex (forming) face: receives transfer vesicles.

Each vesicle has two faces:

Concave (mature) face: forms secretory vesicles.

Function:
1. Sorting, modification & packaging of proteins.
2. Secretory vesicles formation.
3. Formation of lysosomes
 Lysosomes:

• The digestive apparatus of the cell.

• in E/M (electron microscopic): it seems like Spherical membranous
vesicles.
• Contain hydrolytic enzymes “enzymes which break bonds apart”
• Originate from mature surface of the Golgi apparatus, while their
hydrolytic enzymes are formed in the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Function:
intracellular digestion of ingested material “the material which came out
of the cell” or old organelles.
B)non-Membranous

Ribosomes:

• in LM: Basophilic cytoplasm is due to numerous ribosomes.

• in EM: Formed of 2 subunits.
• Consist of ribosomal RNA (rRNA), combined with proteins.
• Free in the cytoplasm (may form polyribosomes) or attached to rER.
• Formed in the nucleolus.

Function:
Protein synthesis

*Hint
rRNA synthesized in nucleolus
assembles with a protein to form a subunit in nucleus
combines with another subunit to form ribosome in cytoplasm
 Intercellular junctions

1. Occluding (Tight) Junction: seals the intercellular space.

2. Adherening Junction: fixes adjacent cells together:
a) Zonula Adhering Junction.
b) Desmosome (Macula Adherening Junction).
3. Gap junction: Allow free communication between the cells.

-When a combination of 1 , 2a and 2b is present , this is called a

junctional complex.
 Microtubules-Containing Organelles:

Centrioles Cilia Flagella

- 2 cylinders, perpendicular to each - Hair-like striations on the free Longer and larger than cilia.
other. surface of some cells. - Form the tails of sperms.
- Wall is made of 9 triplets of - Basal body is similar to centriole.
microtubules, i.e. 27 microtubules - Shaft is formed of 9 doublets and 2
central singlets of microtubules, i.e.
20 microtubules.

Functions: Function: Function:

1- Essential for cell division. Movement of particles or fluids on Important for movement of the
2- Formation of CILIA and the free surface of the cell in one sperms.
FLAGELLA. direction.
 Cytoskeleton:

• It is the structural skeleton of the cell

Consists of: microfilaments “actin filaments
– Microfilaments (actin). and they are thin.
– Intermediate filaments ,e.g. Keratin
– Microtubules and they are thick.
microtubules
Function:
– Maintains shape of the cell.
– Helps transport of material within the
cell.

intermdiate filament
 Clinical application: *infertility: ‫ﻋﻘم‬
immobility: not moving

Immotile cilia syndrome:

• Disorder that causes infertility in male and chronic respiratory tract infection in
both sexes.
• is caused by immobility of cilia and flagella induced by deficiency of dynein
• Dynein protein is responsible for movements of cilia and flagella.

*Hint
This syndrome infects flagella as well, although the name doesn’t contain flagella
name.
 MCQs:
Q1: it’s the structural and functional unit of all living Q2: provides a medium for movement of 3 types of RNA?
tissues?
1. The nucleus
2. The cell 1. Nucleoplasm
3. Mitochondria 2. Barr body
4. Nuclear envelope 3. Flagella
4. Cilia
Q3: Composed of 2 membranes ?
Q4: which part of the cell compartment is more abundant in
1. Mitochondria the liver ?
2. Nucleus
3. Cell membrane 1. Rough ER
4. Both 1&2 2. Smooth ER ● Answers :
3. Golgi apparatus ● Q1 : 2
4. Centrioles ● Q2 : 1
● Q3 : 4
● Q4 : 2
 Team members

● Afnan AlMohsen ● Sumo Abdulrahman ● Mohamed Albabtain

● Yazeed Alomar

● Nourah Alklaib ● Mariam Alruhaimi ● Mohammed Benhjji

● Abdulmohsen Albesher

● Sarah Alobaid ● Joud Alarifi ● Mohamed Alquhidan

● Abdullah Alburikan
● Nawaf Alshahrani

Team leaders
Albara Aldawoud
Contact us through : Fatimah Alhelal Any future corrections will be in
Histologyteam439@gmail.com the editing file :Click Here