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The evolving complexity of cytoplasmic structure

Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology volume 3, pages 291–295 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Our knowledge of the structure of the cytoplasm has grown with the advent of advanced techniques and equipment that have allowed us to study cellular components. Over the past 150 years, such advances have steadily improved our realization of the complexity of cytoplasmic organization.

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Figure 1: An early view of a tissue cell (cartilage) as depicted in one of Flemming's3 drawings.
Figure 2: An example of the finest detail attainable by light microscopy.
Figure 3: Electron microscopy of the cytoplasm of an epithelial cell.
Figure 4: An early whole-mount view of the anterior lamellipodium of a fibroblast.
Figure 5: The microtrabecular lattice of the cytoplasmic matrix in an unextracted cell.
Figure 6: A complementary view of the cytoplasmic matrix.
Figure 7: A peek into the future?

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Acknowledgements

I thank U. Euteneuer, J. Heuser, M. Osborn and K. Weber for comments on the manuscript. Work in the author's laboratory is supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, the Volkswagen-Stiftung and the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie.

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  1. ABI Cell Biology, University of Munich, Schillerstr. 42, Munich, 80336, Germany

    Manfred Schliwa

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FURTHER READING

Encyclopedia of Life Sciences

electron microscopy

von Leeuwenhoek

light microscopic examination

phase-contrast microscopy

polarization microscopy

Thomas Henry Huxley

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Schliwa, M. The evolving complexity of cytoplasmic structure. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 3, 291–295 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm781

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