Cells Tissue Tapestries

Microscopia Natural, is an artwork inspired in abstract art and the microscopic views of living creatures and organic materials

Cells: the smallest unit that can live on its own and that makes up all living organizations organisms and the tissues of the body. A cell has three main parts: the cell membrane, the nucleus, and the cytoplasm. The cell membrane surrounds the cell and controls the substances that go into and out of the cell, The cytoplasm is the fluid inside a cell but outside the cells nucleus. Most chemical reactions in a cell take place in the cytoplasm.

Character 3 Cells

Adipose tissue. Coloured Scanning Electron Micro- graph (SEM) of fat cells making up adipose connective tissue. The rounded fat cells (brown, red) are called adipocytes. Connective tissue fibres (orange) have a supporting function for the fat cells. Almost the entire volume of each adipocyte is occupied by a single lipid droplet formed from triglycerides. Fat not used up in metabolic processes is housed in these cells. Adipose connective tissue forms a thick layer under the skin, around the buttocks, thighs and kidneys. It functions as an insulating layer and energy store. Magnification:x120 at 6x7cm size. Magnification: x140 at 4x5 inch size. Magnification: x60 at 35mm.

Hippocampus brain tissue. Light micrograph of a sagittal (side view) section through the hippocampus of a rat's brain showing the nerve cells within it. The hippocampus is a structure of the limbic system of the brain. There is a hippocampus in each cerebral hemisphere, and they are thought to be responsible for spatial awareness and the formation of memories. Different structures have been stained different colours: the nuclei of cells are orange and neurofilaments are blue. Neurofilaments are proteins found in the axons (output processes) of nerve cells.

Brain cells. Illustration of three types of brain cells: astrocytes (red), pyramidal neurons (green), and microglia cells (blue). Pyramidal neurons are a type of nerve cell found in the cerebral cortex of the brain. They are so-named for their triangular cell bodies. Astrocytes are a type of glial tissue, and provide support and nourishment for nerve cells. Microglia are phagocytic macrophage white blood cells that are the main form of immune system in the central nervous system (CNS). A blood vessel and red blood cells (red, across right) are also shown.

Desruptive force of the evil

Cells of the sepia cartillage, drawing

Fibroblast cells. Fluorescent light micrograph of two fibroblast cells, showing their nuclei (purple) and cytoskeleton. The cytoskeleton is made up of microtubules of the protein tubulin (yellow) and filaments of the protein actin (blue). The cytoskeleton supports the cell's structure, allows the cell to move and assists in the transport of organelles and vesicles within the cell. Fibroblasts are cells forming connective tissue, and are responsible for secreting connective tissue proteins such as collagen. Magnification: x980 when printed 10cm wide.

Eye lens fibres. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a freeze-fracture of fibres from the lens of an eye. Lens cells lack a nuclei, and the main constituent of the cells is the protein crystallin. Tightly packed layers of lens fibres (as seen here) are referred to as laminae. The lens fibres are linked together via gap junctions (one seen here) and interdigitations of the cells. The transparency of the lens is thought to arise from the regular arrangement of these cells. Magnification: x2000 when printed at 10 centimetres wide.

False-coloured Scanning Electron Micrograph of a cross-section through cancellous bone. Sometimes referred to as 'spongy bone' or 'trabecular bone', cancellous bone is found within the middle of large bones. The honeycomb like microstructure gives the bone strength whilst saving weight and provides an open structure that can be occupied by bone marrow. The individual struts are called 'trabeculae' a latin term meaning 'little beam'. This image is taken using a method that shows highly mineralised bone as brighter shades, lower mineralisation appears darker; such methods are useful when looking at calcium-poor bone, such as that from osteoporosis patients. Image width is 1.66mm.

Science pattern

Colorful drawing of a neural network