1. Cell Functions
Mrs. Reed

2. Cell Diversity What you have studied is an average human cell
Trillions of cells in body
200 cell types (different sizes, shapes, and function)

3. Shape relates to Function
The shape of human cells and the relative abundances of their various organelles relate to their function in the body.
We will look at a few…

4. 1. Cells that connect body parts
Fibroblast
Elongated shape
Secretes fibers
Many rough ER
Large Golgi Apparatus

5. 1. Cells that connect body parts
Erythrocyte (red blood cell)
Carries oxygen in the bloodstream
Concave disc shape (extra surface area to take up oxygen and flows easily through bloodstream)
No organelles because it needs room for its oxygen-carrying pigment

6. 2. Cells that covers and lines body organs
Epithelial cells
Hexagonal shape (like the “cell” of a beehive)
Allows the cell to pack together in sheets
Many intermediate filaments to resist tearing

7. 3. Cells that move organs and body parts
Skeletal Muscle AND Smooth Muscle Cells
Elongated
Filled with contractile filaments
Shorten to move bones or change size of internal organs

8. 4. Cells that store nutrients
Fat Cell (lipocyte)
Huge spherical shape
Produced by a large lipid droplet in its cytoplasm

9. 5. Cells that fight disease
Macrophage (a phagocytic cell)
Uses long pseudopods (“false feet”) to crawl through tissue to reach infection sites.
Many lysosomes are needed to digest the infectious organisms it engulfs

10. 6. Cell that gathers information and controls body functions
Nerve cell (neuron)
Long processes to receive and transmit messages
Extensive plasma membrane
Lots of rough ER to make membrane components

11. 7. Cells of reproduction Oocyte (female) Largest cell in body
Contains many of copies of all organelles
To give to daughter cells when the fertilized egg divides to become an embryo
Sperm (male)
Long (built for swimming to the egg for fertilization)
Flagellum acts like a motile whip to propel the sperm