| Oct 12, 2012 22:02:04 GMT -5 |
Post by Stefan "Serbia" Stojkovic on Oct 12, 2012 22:02:04 GMT -5
For my AP Bio class, we had to write a story which gives a tour of the cell. What I need are a few people to read it and correct my grammar and possibly spelling. Also, feel free to just give a general review if you want. I'm being graded on using the correct name for the organelles of a cell, listing their function, how well the story flows, and how well I integrate the organelles into my story and still keep it somewhat entertaining. Enjoy!
A Protein’s View of the Republic of Cell
The Republic of Cell is known to be incredibly productive. It’s a hub for imports and exports and the efficiency at which proteins were produced is legendary among the citizens of other cells. I was created in a nearby cell, but my memories of that place were few. For the most part, I could only see through the vesicle membrane before being thrown out in the Extracellular Matrix. The ECM is an alien world where all the other cells are connected to one another. As far as I could see, there was a blanket of phosphate heads, only part of the phospholipid bilayer which made up the cell membrane. I could see other molecules floating past bearing messages to other cells. Most of the cells were like mine—ordinary. As a protein, I should have considered myself incredibly lucky to be sent to the Republic of Cell rather than to another neighboring cell. Within the limitless Cell Empire, we’re all supposed to be equal. As a protein, I really don’t know that much. After all, I was only created a few hours ago.
Ooh, here it comes! I can’t believe it! I’m really about to enter the Republic of Cell and see just how great this place is. Hang on, the entrance is over there by the proteins…food vacuoles? I’m supposed to enter with a food vacuole?! I know I’m not supposed to know the difference between integral proteins and the food vacuoles, but I thought I was supposed to see the place before I get used for…whatever my job is supposed to be. Closer…closer…that’s it. I manage to detach myself from the ECM fiber and well, float to the nearest integral protein. Let’s see, where is someplace I can fit into? Ah! There’s one that looks big enough. I do my best to work my way over to the protein, but it’s hard. The best I can manage is a bit of rolling through water and trying not to bump into everything else that’s out here. Finally, after what feels like forever, I slip in through the cell membrane. It’s the Republic of—SMACK!
There’re microfilaments all the way out here? I just got in, too. I know they’re useful for keeping a cell’s shape and something like the Republic of Cell is huge, but I never knew there would be so many. Looking around, I realized that this place looked nothing like the sort of cell I imagined. The microfilaments were everywhere! Naturally, I did what a reasonable protein should do and attached myself to one of these microfilaments and worked my way through the impossible mesh. Actin was already hard at work creating new microfilaments. I didn’t really see why the Cell needed more, but what was a lowly protein like me supposed to know? Hey, it’s one of those severing proteins! Hi! Whoa, whoa, whoa, do not attach yourself to my microfilament. Shoot. That’s the problem with proteins. They’re all mindless beings and refuse to budge when given orders. Yes, I know I’m a protein, but I’m better than those proteins. I jump off before the Actin I was just sitting on split away from the rest of the filament. All around me, severing proteins were destroying the microfilaments. Through the small gap that was made, I could see what I was really looking for—the Republic of Cell. A little bit farther in and I could see a microtubule to attach myself to. The microtubules were made of globular proteins like me in shape, but way different in job. They’re great for movement both of the cell and within it. Already I was jealous of the motor proteins who knew the various microtubules backwards and forwards. I meanwhile, had to avoid getting run over or hit by a vesicle.
I followed the microtubule as it passed over and under more microfilaments and intermediate filaments. The intermediate filaments also helped keep the Republic of Cell strong and supported, but they also tied various organelles to each other. Ever heard the saying, “All roads lead to Rome”? Around here, it’s “All roads lead to Centrosome.” That’s it up ahead, the thing that looks like two barrels on each other. Each one is a centriole and together they make up the centrosome. I’m not sure if I remember exactly what they do, but it has to do with cell division and they can help in organizing the various microtubules that go everywhere. That big sphere nearby is the nucleus. All of a sudden, I nearly get knocked off my microtubule by a huge mitochondrion. Those things are absolutely massive and they’re all over the place. The Republic of Cell uses a lot of energy to function because it’s so big. Everything here feels supersized including the organelles. The mitochondria use glucose—those molecules that are getting absorbed by the outer membrane—and create ATP. I move a little further down my microtubule. I think there’re some peroxisomes around, but I’ve never been here and the motor proteins aren’t talking. Up ahead, look! There’s the peroxisome. I don’t want like getting too close since the hydrogen peroxide is toxic, but that spherical thing is definitely it. They take other molecules, not me, and add hydrogen to the oxygen. The hydrogen peroxide is made as waste, but Peroxisome can break that down too. If I wasn’t so fearful for my life as a protein, I’d go investigate closer.
I’m eager to get away from the peroxisomes and check out the nucleus. I’m not allowed in, but I don’t think there are any rules about being curious. The first thing I notice about the nucleus here is how big it is. Maybe it’s just me being a lowly protein, but it looks way bigger than the mitochondrion that nearly hit me. Pores cover the nuclear lamina and the mRNA look busy. Inside the compound are records for everything. No one really knows what’s inside and the RNA aren’t allowed to talk about it. But, they always come out with instructions to make proteins, so clearly there’s stuff about proteins like me in there. I also hear the information is written in legal jargon and the ribosomes are the only ones trained to read it. I quietly float past some of the pores and a strand of mRNA rockets out and crashes into me. It doesn’t even look back to make sure I’m okay or apologize or anything! mRNA are so rude. Rumor has it that even deeper inside the nucleus is the nucleolus. Supposedly, the secret codes for making ribosomes are in there. No one is ever allowed inside except those with special authorization, so this is all just speculation. There must be a ton of DNA stored in there. I bet it would take a lifetime or more to read all the DNA strands inside.
Surrounding the nucleus is the endoplasmic reticulum. There’s ribosomes and RNA everywhere here. It’s really hard not to run into anyone. Most of the ribosomes are only either the top or bottom half. Over there, two halves of a ribosome have come together around that bit of RNA and are doing protein synthesis. Hey, that’s me! I’m a protein too! I’ve never actually seen a protein made before. But, that’s a free ribosome and those proteins always stay within the cell. I was made by a ribosome bound to the Rough ER. I float closer to the ER to get a better look. See? That ribosome and RNA strand have attached themselves to the pore and are making a protein like me. Poor protein, it’ll never know the cell it was created in. Trust me, getting evicted out of a cell is always scary the first time. The Smooth ER, somewhere, doesn’t have any ribosomes attached to it and mostly just metabolizes lipids and carbohydrates. Boring! Proteins like me are so much cooler than lipids and carbohydrates.
Parts of the Rough ER break off and hook up with motor proteins. From experience, being in a vesicle is not fun. They’re cramped with lots of other proteins and the motor proteins are slow. I hated traveling by Vesicle. Then, there’s the inevitable merging with the Golgi apparatus. It just packages all us proteins into neat little bundles for export. I remember getting swept from one side to the other, breaking off in a vesicle, reattaching, getting swept along some more, and then finally ending up in an export protein with lots of other proteins I had never met before. It all gets so disorienting after awhile and the vesicles quickly lose their appeal. Really, proteins for use within the cell have it so lucky. Once again, I’m near the cell membrane.
There’s this weird bulge and a food vacuole appears. I was supposed to be in one of those, but I was smart. Vacuoles are like vesicles in shape, but the vacuoles are more for storing things, like me. I want to salute the proteins that are being ejected, but I have no arms to salute with. Instead, I cast them an emphatic glance, though I can’t tell if any of them see it. Seeing anything is hard from inside a vesicle, I should know. To my horror, a lysosome bears down on the unsuspecting food vacuole and fuses with it. Is that what was supposed to happen to me? Was I supposed to be digested by that hideous lysosome?! I don’t want to be digested by enzymes! I want to live and be a free protein!
In sorrow, I travel along the inner part of the plasma membrane. A few times, I nearly fall into holes in the membrane, Gap Junctions I think they’re called. All I remember is that it’s another way for molecules like sugars and amino acids pass through. I never realized how close the various cells were. I knew, but I guess I never gave it much thought. A few sugars rush by, but I barely notice them. A few apologize for nearly running into me and some even seemed a little concerned. I can’t stop thinking about that evil lysosome. Poor proteins in the food vacuole…they never knew what was coming. Further on, I just about run head long into the desmosomes. They anchor two cells together. Almost near the top of the cell now and I can just make out the tight junctions. They help prevent external stuff from getting in. I can’t even imagine how awful it would be if the Republic of Cell had a leak. I can’t see anything above me.
Suddenly, I feel this current in the cytoplasm and without anything to grip on to; I get washed away with the current. I can see a lysosome approaching and immediately I fear it’s going to digest me. I hide in the closet thing—a vesicle. From inside the membrane, I watch as the lysosome gets bigger and bigger. Oh, no. Oh no! Lysosome go away! You shall not eat me today! But to no avail.
Ooh, here it comes! I can’t believe it! I’m really about to enter the Republic of Cell and see just how great this place is. Hang on, the entrance is over there by the proteins…food vacuoles? I’m supposed to enter with a food vacuole?! I know I’m not supposed to know the difference between integral proteins and the food vacuoles, but I thought I was supposed to see the place before I get used for…whatever my job is supposed to be. Closer…closer…that’s it. I manage to detach myself from the ECM fiber and well, float to the nearest integral protein. Let’s see, where is someplace I can fit into? Ah! There’s one that looks big enough. I do my best to work my way over to the protein, but it’s hard. The best I can manage is a bit of rolling through water and trying not to bump into everything else that’s out here. Finally, after what feels like forever, I slip in through the cell membrane. It’s the Republic of—SMACK!
There’re microfilaments all the way out here? I just got in, too. I know they’re useful for keeping a cell’s shape and something like the Republic of Cell is huge, but I never knew there would be so many. Looking around, I realized that this place looked nothing like the sort of cell I imagined. The microfilaments were everywhere! Naturally, I did what a reasonable protein should do and attached myself to one of these microfilaments and worked my way through the impossible mesh. Actin was already hard at work creating new microfilaments. I didn’t really see why the Cell needed more, but what was a lowly protein like me supposed to know? Hey, it’s one of those severing proteins! Hi! Whoa, whoa, whoa, do not attach yourself to my microfilament. Shoot. That’s the problem with proteins. They’re all mindless beings and refuse to budge when given orders. Yes, I know I’m a protein, but I’m better than those proteins. I jump off before the Actin I was just sitting on split away from the rest of the filament. All around me, severing proteins were destroying the microfilaments. Through the small gap that was made, I could see what I was really looking for—the Republic of Cell. A little bit farther in and I could see a microtubule to attach myself to. The microtubules were made of globular proteins like me in shape, but way different in job. They’re great for movement both of the cell and within it. Already I was jealous of the motor proteins who knew the various microtubules backwards and forwards. I meanwhile, had to avoid getting run over or hit by a vesicle.
I followed the microtubule as it passed over and under more microfilaments and intermediate filaments. The intermediate filaments also helped keep the Republic of Cell strong and supported, but they also tied various organelles to each other. Ever heard the saying, “All roads lead to Rome”? Around here, it’s “All roads lead to Centrosome.” That’s it up ahead, the thing that looks like two barrels on each other. Each one is a centriole and together they make up the centrosome. I’m not sure if I remember exactly what they do, but it has to do with cell division and they can help in organizing the various microtubules that go everywhere. That big sphere nearby is the nucleus. All of a sudden, I nearly get knocked off my microtubule by a huge mitochondrion. Those things are absolutely massive and they’re all over the place. The Republic of Cell uses a lot of energy to function because it’s so big. Everything here feels supersized including the organelles. The mitochondria use glucose—those molecules that are getting absorbed by the outer membrane—and create ATP. I move a little further down my microtubule. I think there’re some peroxisomes around, but I’ve never been here and the motor proteins aren’t talking. Up ahead, look! There’s the peroxisome. I don’t want like getting too close since the hydrogen peroxide is toxic, but that spherical thing is definitely it. They take other molecules, not me, and add hydrogen to the oxygen. The hydrogen peroxide is made as waste, but Peroxisome can break that down too. If I wasn’t so fearful for my life as a protein, I’d go investigate closer.
I’m eager to get away from the peroxisomes and check out the nucleus. I’m not allowed in, but I don’t think there are any rules about being curious. The first thing I notice about the nucleus here is how big it is. Maybe it’s just me being a lowly protein, but it looks way bigger than the mitochondrion that nearly hit me. Pores cover the nuclear lamina and the mRNA look busy. Inside the compound are records for everything. No one really knows what’s inside and the RNA aren’t allowed to talk about it. But, they always come out with instructions to make proteins, so clearly there’s stuff about proteins like me in there. I also hear the information is written in legal jargon and the ribosomes are the only ones trained to read it. I quietly float past some of the pores and a strand of mRNA rockets out and crashes into me. It doesn’t even look back to make sure I’m okay or apologize or anything! mRNA are so rude. Rumor has it that even deeper inside the nucleus is the nucleolus. Supposedly, the secret codes for making ribosomes are in there. No one is ever allowed inside except those with special authorization, so this is all just speculation. There must be a ton of DNA stored in there. I bet it would take a lifetime or more to read all the DNA strands inside.
Surrounding the nucleus is the endoplasmic reticulum. There’s ribosomes and RNA everywhere here. It’s really hard not to run into anyone. Most of the ribosomes are only either the top or bottom half. Over there, two halves of a ribosome have come together around that bit of RNA and are doing protein synthesis. Hey, that’s me! I’m a protein too! I’ve never actually seen a protein made before. But, that’s a free ribosome and those proteins always stay within the cell. I was made by a ribosome bound to the Rough ER. I float closer to the ER to get a better look. See? That ribosome and RNA strand have attached themselves to the pore and are making a protein like me. Poor protein, it’ll never know the cell it was created in. Trust me, getting evicted out of a cell is always scary the first time. The Smooth ER, somewhere, doesn’t have any ribosomes attached to it and mostly just metabolizes lipids and carbohydrates. Boring! Proteins like me are so much cooler than lipids and carbohydrates.
Parts of the Rough ER break off and hook up with motor proteins. From experience, being in a vesicle is not fun. They’re cramped with lots of other proteins and the motor proteins are slow. I hated traveling by Vesicle. Then, there’s the inevitable merging with the Golgi apparatus. It just packages all us proteins into neat little bundles for export. I remember getting swept from one side to the other, breaking off in a vesicle, reattaching, getting swept along some more, and then finally ending up in an export protein with lots of other proteins I had never met before. It all gets so disorienting after awhile and the vesicles quickly lose their appeal. Really, proteins for use within the cell have it so lucky. Once again, I’m near the cell membrane.
There’s this weird bulge and a food vacuole appears. I was supposed to be in one of those, but I was smart. Vacuoles are like vesicles in shape, but the vacuoles are more for storing things, like me. I want to salute the proteins that are being ejected, but I have no arms to salute with. Instead, I cast them an emphatic glance, though I can’t tell if any of them see it. Seeing anything is hard from inside a vesicle, I should know. To my horror, a lysosome bears down on the unsuspecting food vacuole and fuses with it. Is that what was supposed to happen to me? Was I supposed to be digested by that hideous lysosome?! I don’t want to be digested by enzymes! I want to live and be a free protein!
In sorrow, I travel along the inner part of the plasma membrane. A few times, I nearly fall into holes in the membrane, Gap Junctions I think they’re called. All I remember is that it’s another way for molecules like sugars and amino acids pass through. I never realized how close the various cells were. I knew, but I guess I never gave it much thought. A few sugars rush by, but I barely notice them. A few apologize for nearly running into me and some even seemed a little concerned. I can’t stop thinking about that evil lysosome. Poor proteins in the food vacuole…they never knew what was coming. Further on, I just about run head long into the desmosomes. They anchor two cells together. Almost near the top of the cell now and I can just make out the tight junctions. They help prevent external stuff from getting in. I can’t even imagine how awful it would be if the Republic of Cell had a leak. I can’t see anything above me.
Suddenly, I feel this current in the cytoplasm and without anything to grip on to; I get washed away with the current. I can see a lysosome approaching and immediately I fear it’s going to digest me. I hide in the closet thing—a vesicle. From inside the membrane, I watch as the lysosome gets bigger and bigger. Oh, no. Oh no! Lysosome go away! You shall not eat me today! But to no avail.
