atypical cell structures in eukaryotes Flashcards
Why don’t red blood cells have a nucleus?
Red blood cells lose their nucleus during development to make them smaller and more flexible, but this means they cannot repair themselves and live for less than 120 days.
What makes phloem sieve tube elements in plants atypical?
In phloem, the sieve tube elements lose their nucleus and most cell contents, leaving just the plasma membrane to allow sap to pass through. They are supported by companion cells with nuclei and mitochondria.
What is a syncytium in skeletal muscle cells?
A syncytium is formed when multiple cells fuse, creating large multinucleate muscle fibers, which are necessary for muscle function.
What is a coenocyte in aseptate fungal hyphae?
A coenocyte is a large multinucleate structure formed when the nucleus divides without cell division, seen in aseptate fungi which lack dividing walls (septa) between cells.
