How types of cell are there in our body ?Na!e them?and tell their functions with the meanings?
There are over 200 different cell types in the human body, each specialised to carry out a particular function, or form a particular tissue. The main types of cells in the human body are listed below:
- Stem cells
- Red blood cells (erythrocytes)
- White blood cells (leukocytes)
- Platelets
- Nerve cells (neurons)
- Neuroglial cells
- Muscle cells (myocytes)
- Cartillage cells (chondrocytes)
- Bone cells
- Skin cells
- Endothelial cells
- Epithelial cells
- Fat cells (adipocytes)
- Sex cells (gametes)
Stem cells Stem cells are cells that are yet to choose what they are going to become. Some differentiate to become a certain cell type, and others divide to produce more stem cells. They are found in both the embryo and some adult tissues, such as bone marrow. Bone cells There are at least three primary types of bone cell:
- Osteoclasts, which dissolve bone.
- Osteoblasts, which form new bone.
- Osteocytes, which are surrounded by bone and help communicate with other bone cells.
Blood cells There are three major types of blood cell:
- red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body
- white blood cells, which are part of the immune system
- platelets, which help blood clot to prevent blood loss after injury
Muscle cells Also called myocytes, muscle cells are long, tubular cells. Muscle cells are important for a huge range of functions, including movement, support, and internal functions, such as peristalsis — the movement of food along the gut.
Sperm cells These tadpole-shaped cells are the smallest in the human body.
They are motile, meaning that they can move. They achieve this movement by using their tail (flagellum), which is packed with energy-giving mitochondria.
Sperm cells cannot divide; they only carry one copy of each chromosome (haploid), unlike the majority of cells, which carry two copies (diploid).
Female egg cell Compared with the sperm cell, the female egg cell is a giant; it is the largest human cell. The egg cell is also haploid so that the DNA from the sperm and egg can combine to create a diploid cell.
Fat cells Fat cells are also called adipocytes and are the main constituent in adipose tissue. They contain stored fats called triglycerides that can be used as energy when needed. Once the triglycerides are used up, the fat cells shrink. Adipocytes also produce some hormones.
Nerve cells Nerves cells are the communication system of the body. Also called neurons, they consist of two major parts — the cell body and nerve processes. The central body contains the nucleus and other organelles, and the nerve processes (axons or dendrites) run like long fingers, carrying messages far and wide. Some of these axons can be over 1 meter long.
There are over 200 different cell types in the human body, each specialised to carry out a particular function, or form a particular tissue. The main types of cells in the human body are listed below:
- Stem cells
- Red blood cells (erythrocytes)
- White blood cells (leukocytes)
- Platelets
- Nerve cells (neurons)
- Neuroglial cells
- Muscle cells (myocytes)
- Cartillage cells (chondrocytes)
- Bone cells
- Skin cells
- Endothelial cells
- Epithelial cells
- Fat cells (adipocytes)
- Sex cells (gametes)
There are at least three primary types of bone cell:
- Osteoclasts, which dissolve bone.
- Osteoblasts, which form new bone.
- Osteocytes, which are surrounded by bone and help communicate with other bone cells.
There are three major types of blood cell:
- red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body
- white blood cells, which are part of the immune system
- platelets, which help blood clot to prevent blood loss after injury
Also called myocytes, muscle cells are long, tubular cells. Muscle cells are important for a huge range of functions, including movement, support, and internal functions, such as peristalsis — the movement of food along the gut.
Sperm cellsThese tadpole-shaped cells are the smallest in the human body.
They are motile, meaning that they can move. They achieve this movement by using their tail (flagellum), which is packed with energy-giving mitochondria.
Sperm cells cannot divide; they only carry one copy of each chromosome (haploid), unlike the majority of cells, which carry two copies (diploid).
Female egg cellCompared with the sperm cell, the female egg cell is a giant; it is the largest human cell. The egg cell is also haploid so that the DNA from the sperm and egg can combine to create a diploid cell.
Fat cellsFat cells are also called adipocytes and are the main constituent in adipose tissue. They contain stored fats called triglycerides that can be used as energy when needed. Once the triglycerides are used up, the fat cells shrink. Adipocytes also produce some hormones.
Nerve cellsNerves cells are the communication system of the body. Also called neurons, they consist of two major parts — the cell body and nerve processes. The central body contains the nucleus and other organelles, and the nerve processes (axons or dendrites) run like long fingers, carrying messages far and wide. Some of these axons can be over 1 meter long.
