Cell types Flashcards
Organization of the body(from the smallest level to the largest level) :
Cell - Tissue - Organ - Organ system - Organism
What are all living things made up of?
Building blocks called cells
Basic features of cells :
All cells have several basic features in common
• They are bounded by a plasma membrane
• They contain a semi-fluid substance called the
cytosol
• They contain chromosomes
• They all have ribosomes
Types of cells based on the tissue they form :
- Bone cells - osteocytes
- Nerve cells - neurons
- Hyaline cartilage - chondrocytes
- Squamous and ciliated epithelial cells
- Smooth muscle cells
- Cardiac muscle cells
- Skeletal muscle cells
- Fat cells - adipocytes
- White blood cells - leucocytes
- Red blood cells - erythrocytes
Type of cells based on their function : Somatic cells
Somatic cells differentiate to become specialized
cells to carry out specialized functions to result in
many different types of cells such as muscle cells,
nerve cells, blood cells, and others
that form the different types of body tissue that
exist.
Types of cells based on their function : Hormone producing cells
Example :
Pancreatic cells that secrete
Insulin
Types of cells based on their function : Pigment cells
Example :
melanocytes produce skin pigment
Retinal pigmented epithelial cells produce eye colour
Types of cells based on their function : Liver cells
Example :
hepatocyte
Types of cells based on their function : Secretory cells
Example :
salivary gland cells, mammary gland cell
Sweat gland cells stomach lining cells that secrete
Mucus, ceruminous gland cell in ear
Types of cells based on their function : Photoreceptor cells
Example :
cells in the retina of the eye
Types of cells based on their function : Germline cells
Germline cells include the gametes and the cells that
produce the gametes.
What shape do red blood cells have? What does the shape do to the surface area?
Red blood cells have a biconcave shape which increases the surface area of the cell and makes it easier for the cell to move through narrow blood vessels
What do red blood cells contain?
Red blood cells contain the
pigment Haemoglobin which
carries oxygen
What do the human cheek cells form?
•Human cheek cells form the
lining of the cheek
Cheek cells are a type of…
epithelial cell
What do epithelial cells provide?
Epithelial cells provide a
barrier like the skin.
What are stem cells and what do they differentiate into?
Stem cells are unspecialised cells that have the ability to
reproduce and differentiate into a diverse range of
specialised cells.
Types of stem cells :
- Embryonic
* Adult
Where are adult/tissue stem found?
Adult or tissue stem cells are found in small numbers in the tissues and organs of adults and children, including the brain, bone marrow, skeletal muscle and skin.
What does the adult/tissue stem cells give rise to?
These cells give rise to a much more limited range of cell types and will tend to develop into cell types that are closely related to the tissue in which they are found
What do adult/tissue stem cells replenish?
These cells replenish
differentiated cells that need
replaced in the tissues in which
they are found.
What can stem cells also be taken from?
Stem cells can also
be taken from the
umbilical cord of new
babies.
State the similarity between adult stem cells and stem cells taken from an umbilical cord.
Like adult stem cells, these cells can differentiate into a limited range of specialised cells.
Cancer cells have many
characteristics that make them
different from normal cells:
- Cancer cells continue to
reproduce to produce a mass of
abnormal cells (a benign
tumour).
Cancer cells have many
characteristics that make them
different from normal cells:
- They do not respond to normal
regulatory signals that would
instruct them to stop dividing
when necessary.
Cancer cells have many
characteristics that make them
different from normal cells:
3. They lose the molecules on their surface that would normally hold them in place and can therefore be detached from their neighbours, causing the cells to spread (malignant tumour).
Name the tissues in the human body and state what each tissue does.
• Epithelial – Covering or lining tissue • Connective – Joins, stores and supports • Muscle – Internal and external movement • Nerve – Conducts electrical signals
What does epithelial tissue do?
• Separates, protects, and keeps organs in place.
• Covers the body surface and forms the lining of
most organs.
Examples of epithelial tissue :
Skin (epidermis), & inside of mouth
What does connective tissue do?
Provides support and structure to the body, also
fills spaces.
Describe connective tissue.
Connective tissue is the most abundant tissue in the human body.
Examples of connective tissue :
Blood, bones, cartilage, and fat
What does muscle tissue do?
Contracts and relaxes to support movement.
There are 3 types of muscle tissue, namely :
Skeletal, smooth, and cardiac.
What does each type of muscle tissue do?
Cardiac muscle contracts to pump blood through the body; Skeletal muscle moves the bones when directed by brain. Smooth muscle contracts in digesting
What does the nerve tissue do?
• responds to stimuli in the environment
• controls movement, reflexes, and receives sensory
information
Examples of nerve tissue :
Brain tissue,
Spinal Cord Tissue,
Peripheral nerve cells.
