The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is present in every eukaryotic cell except mature erythrocytes. It is a cell organelle with multiple functions. Without ER, the cell and thus the organism would not be viable. What is the endoplasmic reticulum? The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a very structurally rich cell organelle with a channel system of cavities. … Endoplasmic Reticulum: Structure, Function & Diseases
About half of all proteins in the human body are glycoproteins. The substances play a role as cell components as well as immune substances. They are formed primarily as part of what is known as N-glycosylation and can cause serious diseases if incorrectly assembled. What are glycoproteins? Glycoproteins are proteins with tree-like branched heteroglycan residues. … Glycoproteins: Function & Diseases
Prohormone convertase catalyzes the cleavage of unneeded components of proteohormones and neuropeptides. In most cases, it becomes active immediately after translation of the corresponding proteins. Diseases associated with prohormone convertase have been found very rarely. What is prohormone convertase? Prohormone convertase is a serine protease that converts just-formed proteins from their original form to their … Prohormone Convertase: Function, Role & Diseases
Platelets, erythrocytes, and leukocytes together make up the blood cells. They perform functions in blood clotting, oxygen transport, and immunological processes. In diseases such as leukemia, white blood cells change into tumor cells and spread throughout the body. What are blood cells? Blood cells or hemocytes are all cells found in the blood of a … Blood Cells: Function & Diseases
Cyclooxygenases are enzymes involved in the production of prostaglandins. These, in turn, cause inflammation. What are cyclooxygenases? Cyclooxygenases (COX) are among the enzymes. They participate in arachidone metabolism. There, they catalyze the production of thromboxanes and prostaglandins. The COX enzymes are centrally involved in the regulation of inflammation. Cyclooxygenase has been known to humans since … Cyclooxygenases: Function & Diseases
Lysosomes are organelles in the cells of living organisms with formed nuclei (eukaryotes). Lysosomes are vesicles of a cell that are enclosed by a membrane and contain digestive enzymes. The function of lysosomes, which are maintained in an acidic environment, is to break down endogenous and exogenous substances and to initiate cellular destruction (apoptosis) when … Lysosome: Function & Diseases
Hepatocytes are the actual liver cells that make up more than 80 percent of the liver. They are responsible for most metabolic processes such as synthesis of proteins and drugs, breakdown of metabolites, and detoxification reactions. Disturbances in hepatocyte function can lead to central metabolic diseases and symptoms of intoxication. What are hepatocytes? Hepatocytes make … Hepatocytes: Function & Diseases
Eccrine secretion is a mode of exocrine secretion, such as that followed in the salivary glands. Eccrine secretion is released via exocytosis without any cell loss. Overproduction or underproduction of eccrine secretions refers to various primary diseases. What is eccrine secretion? The large sweat glands in the genital and axillary areas also perform eccrine secretion. … Eccrine Secretion: Function, Role & Diseases
In medicine, melanocytes are the pigment-producing cells in the basal cell layer of the skin. They synthesize melanins, which give skin and hair their color. The best-known disease related to melanocytes is black skin cancer. What are melanocytes? Melanocytes migrate out of the neural crest during the embryonic developmental phase and thus into the skin … Melanocytes: Structure, Function & Diseases
Vimentin is an intermediate filament composed of protein that strengthens the cytoskeleton. In addition, it is found in the plasma of certain cells, such as smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. In addition, because soft tissue tumors produce more vimentin, medicine uses it as a marker for neoplasms. What is vimentin? Vimentin is one of … Vimentin: Structure, Function & Diseases
Chondrocyte is the name given to a cell that belongs to cartilage tissue. It also goes by the name cartilage cell. What is a chondrocyte? Chondrocytes are cells that arise from chondroblast]s. They are also called chondrocytes and are found within cartilage tissue. Together with the intercellular substances, the chondrocytes are among the most important … Chondrocyte: Structure, Function & Diseases
Cones are the photoreceptors on the retina of the eye responsible for color and sharp vision. They are highly concentrated in the yellow spot, the area of color vision and also the area of sharpest vision. Humans have three different types of cones, each of which has its maximum sensitivity in the blue, green, and … Cones: Structure, Function & Diseases
