Cell Organelles Dicoverers

We have seen in the previous posts about all the organelles in an animal cell with their structure and functions. But have we wondered who discovered them? So, I just want to make it easy for you all by jotting down the organelles and their discoverers over here.

The Organelles of the Cell

1. Cell Membrane - Robert Hooke in 1665 first view the cells under the microscope and hence, he is credited with the discovery of cell membrane.
2. Centriole - Discovered by Edouard Van Beneden in 1883 and was described and coined by Theodor Boveri in 1888.
3. Centrosome - Discovered by Edouard Van Beneden in 1883 and was described and coined by Theodor Boveri in 1888.
4. Cytoskeleton - Nikolai K Koltsov in 1903 proposed that the shape of the cell is determined by the tubular network, the cytoskelton. However, the word was introduced and coined by Paul Wintrebert in 1931 (in French, cytosquelette).
   i. Microtubules - De Robertis and Franchi disovered microtubules in 1953 in nerve cell and later Sabatani, Bansch, Barnette in 1963 explained the structure of microtubule.
   ii. Microfilament/Actin Filaments - Edward David Korn discovered microfilament in 1968 in Acanthamoeba castellanii.
   iii. Intermediate Filaments - The groep of Howard Holtzer in 1968 discovered intermediate filaments.
5. Cytosol - Discovered in 1835and no single scientist can be accredited to its discovery.
6. Golgi Apparatus -Camillo Golgi identified it in 1897 and named after him in 1898.
7. Lysosomes - Discovered by Christian de Duve in 1949 (or 1950s).
8. Mitochondria - Albert von Kolliker studied mitochondria in muscle cell in 1857; Richard Altmann first recognized them as cell organelle in 1894; Term "mitochondria' coined by Carl Benda in 1898.
9. Nucleus - Robert Brown discovered cell nucleus in 1833.
10. Ribosomes -Discovered by George Palade in 1955.
11. Endoplasmic Reticulum - Albert Claude in Belgium and Keith Porter at Rockfeller Institue in 1945.
12. Vacuole - Antony van Leeuwenhoek is credited with discovery of vacuole when he was studying bacteria in 1676.
13. Plastids: 'Plastid' term was coined by Ernst Haeckel in 1866. however, in 1883, Andreas Schimper was the first to give the clear definition of plastid and he also explained the relationship between the different types. 
14. Nucleolus: The  nucleolus was first discovered in eel cells in 1774 by Felice Fontana.
15. Chromosomes: The chromosomes were first discovered by Karl Wilhelm von Nageli in 1842.

If any references are needed, feel free to contact me.!

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Endoplasmic Reticulum (abbreviated as ER) is a complex network and is composed of sacs and tubules. It is highly twisted.

Structure:

Diagram of RER

ER can be differentiated into three varieties. They are:

1. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER):

The membrane of this type of ER is in the form of sheets (sacs). They are present near the nucleus and is continuous with the nuclear outer membrane. The surface of the membrane of RER is studded with ribosomes (another type of organelle, described here) which are an important site for protein synthesis. The appearance of the membrane is rough as can be seen in the diagram and hence, is called “RER”

Diagram of SER

2. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER):

The membrane of this type of ER is mostly in the form of tubules; sometimes it may branch and form reticulate kind of network. They lack the ribosomes; thereby gives the appearance as smooth and hence the name Smooth ER. Also, SER contains an enzyme glucose 6-phosphatase, which is involved in gluconeogenesis.

3. Sarcoplasmic Reticulum (SR):

this is a type of SER, which is present in smooth and striated muscle. The only difference between SER and SR is the variety of proteins present in each.

Functions: 
The main and foremost function of RER is the synthesis and manufacture of proteins.

SER is involved in lipid synthesis and steroid synthesis. It is also involved in drug detoxification and steroid metabolism.

SR is present in muscle cells where it regulates calcium ion concentrations.