Principles of Biochemistry Volume 1 - A. Lehninger 1985

Biomolecules
Cells
The cytoplasm also contains granular bodies

The eukaryotic Cytoplasm also contains granular elements that are not bound by membranes. The principal ones are Ribosomes (Fig. 2-19), some of which float freely in the cytoplasm while others are attached to The Endoplasmic reticulum. Although eukaryotic ribosomes are larger than prokaryotic ones, both share the same core function: the Biosynthesis of Proteins from Amino Acids.

Another type of granular Structure found in the cytoplasm of Eukaryotic Cells is Glycogen granules (Fig. 2-19), which are particularly abundant in Liver cells. Glycogen macromolecules consist of highly branched chains composed of glucose residues. Glycogen granules serve as energy storage reserves, especially within liver and Muscle cells. Certain Eukaryotic cells also contain lipid droplets, which likewise store energy-rich compounds.

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Fig. 2-19. Glycogen granules (heavily stained) in the cytoplasm of a hamster liver Cell.

The granules consist of large clusters formed by glycogen molecules. They are considerably larger than the ribosomes visible On the surface of the endoplasmic reticulum in the lower right corner.



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