Moreover, a number of genetic diseases of mitochondria affect particu- the correct intracellular membrane compartment.
lar tissues exclusively, e.g. mitochondrial myopathies (skeletal muscle)
and mitochondrial neuropathies (nervous tissue). For further informa-
Cell signalling
tion on mitochondrial genetics and disorders, see Chinnery and Hudson
(2013).
Cellular systems in the body communicate with each other to coordi-
Cytosolic inclusions nate and integrate their functions. This occurs through a variety of
The aqueous cytosol surrounds the membranous organelles described processes known collectively as cell signalling, in which a signalling
above. It also contains various non-membranous inclusions, including molecule produced by one cell is detected by another, almost always by
free ribosomes, components of the cytoskeleton, and other inclusions, means of a specific receptor protein molecule. The recipient cell trans-
such as storage granules (e.g. glycogen), pigments (such as lipofuscin duces the signal, which it most often detects at the plasma membrane,
granules, remnants of the lipid oxidative mechanism seen in the supra- into intracellular chemical messages that change cell behaviour.