Cell types

Question 1

Organization of the body(from the smallest level to the largest level) :

Answer 1

Cell - Tissue - Organ - Organ system - Organism

Question 2

What are all living things made up of?

Answer 2

Building blocks called cells

Question 3

Basic features of cells :

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Types of cells based on the tissue they form :

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

Type of cells based on their function : Somatic cells

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Types of cells based on their function : Hormone producing cells

Answer 6

Example :
Pancreatic cells that secrete
Insulin

Question 7

Types of cells based on their function : Pigment cells

Answer 7

Example :
melanocytes produce skin pigment
Retinal pigmented epithelial cells produce eye colour

Question 8

Types of cells based on their function : Liver cells

Answer 8

Example :

hepatocyte

Question 9

Types of cells based on their function : Secretory cells

Answer 9

Example :
salivary gland cells, mammary gland cell
Sweat gland cells stomach lining cells that secrete
Mucus, ceruminous gland cell in ear

Question 10

Types of cells based on their function : Photoreceptor cells

Answer 10

Example :

cells in the retina of the eye

Question 11

Types of cells based on their function : Germline cells

Answer 11

Germline cells include the gametes and the cells that

produce the gametes.

Question 12

What shape do red blood cells have? What does the shape do to the surface area?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What do red blood cells contain?

Answer 13

Red blood cells contain the
pigment Haemoglobin which
carries oxygen

Question 14

What do the human cheek cells form?

Answer 14

•Human cheek cells form the

lining of the cheek

Question 15

Cheek cells are a type of…

Answer 15

epithelial cell

Question 16

What do epithelial cells provide?

Answer 16

Epithelial cells provide a

barrier like the skin.

Question 17

What are stem cells and what do they differentiate into?

Answer 17

Stem cells are unspecialised cells that have the ability to
reproduce and differentiate into a diverse range of
specialised cells.

Question 18

Types of stem cells :

Answer 18

• Embryonic

* Adult

Question 19

Where are adult/tissue stem found?

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

What does the adult/tissue stem cells give rise to?

Answer 20

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

Question 21

What do adult/tissue stem cells replenish?

Answer 21

These cells replenish
differentiated cells that need
replaced in the tissues in which
they are found.

Question 22

What can stem cells also be taken from?

Answer 22

Stem cells can also
be taken from the
umbilical cord of new
babies.

Question 23

State the similarity between adult stem cells and stem cells taken from an umbilical cord.

Answer 23

Like adult stem cells,
these cells can
differentiate into a
limited range of
specialised cells.

Question 24

Cancer cells have many
characteristics that make them
different from normal cells:

Answer 24

1. Cancer cells continue to
   reproduce to produce a mass of
   abnormal cells (a benign
   tumour).

Question 25

Cancer cells have many
characteristics that make them
different from normal cells:

Answer 25

2. They do not respond to normal
   regulatory signals that would
   instruct them to stop dividing
   when necessary.

Question 26

Cancer cells have many
characteristics that make them
different from normal cells:

Answer 26

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).

Question 27

Name the tissues in the human body and state what each tissue does.

Answer 27

• Epithelial
– Covering or lining tissue 
• Connective
– Joins, stores and supports
• Muscle
– Internal and external movement
• Nerve
– Conducts electrical signals

Question 28

What does epithelial tissue do?

Answer 28

• Separates, protects, and keeps organs in place.
• Covers the body surface and forms the lining of
most organs.

Question 29

Examples of epithelial tissue :

Answer 29

Skin (epidermis), & inside of mouth

Question 30

What does connective tissue do?

Answer 30

Provides support and structure to the body, also

fills spaces.

Question 31

Describe connective tissue.

Answer 31

Connective tissue is the most abundant tissue in the human body.

Question 32

Examples of connective tissue :

Answer 32

Blood, bones, cartilage, and fat

Question 33

What does muscle tissue do?

Answer 33

Contracts and relaxes to support movement.

Question 34

There are 3 types of muscle tissue, namely :

Answer 34

Skeletal, smooth, and cardiac.

Question 35

What does each type of muscle tissue do?

Answer 35

Cardiac muscle contracts to 
pump blood through the body;
Skeletal muscle moves the 
bones when directed by brain.
Smooth muscle contracts in 
digesting

Question 36

What does the nerve tissue do?

Answer 36

• responds to stimuli in the environment
• controls movement, reflexes, and receives sensory
information

Question 37

Examples of nerve tissue :

Answer 37

Brain tissue,
Spinal Cord Tissue,
Peripheral nerve cells.