THE CELL AND ITS TYPES

General Science | Easy Learn |

Cell

Cells are just like bricks in our, body. They build our, body. Molecules build-up to create body cells. There are about 75 trillion cells in the average human, with different types of cells carrying out a variety of body functions, from transporting oxygen to sensing light and colour in the eye. Cells cannot be seen by naked eyes. They are too small to see without naked eyes. There are about 200 different types of cells, each with its size, shape, and contents. Each type of cell has a particular task.

Types of Cell

There are about 200 different types of cells, each with its size, shape, and contents. Each type of cell has a particular task. Some of the types of cell are, as under:

Red Blood Cells

Red Blood Cells (RBC’s) are the main components of the Circulatory System. The colour of blood is red because of red blood cells. Nut shaped red blood cells play an important role in the body. They are without a nucleus. They carry oxygen to the parts of the body easily.

Nerve Cells

They are known as neurons. They are active components of the nervous system. These cells are long, thin, and carry electrical signals over long distances. They carry the process of reflex action. They are used for sensation in the body.

Muscle Cells

Muscle cells are also known as myocytes. They are found in muscle tissues. Muscles are used for the movement of the body. They can contract (shorten) or relax to produce, movement of the body. Cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle cells are the main three types of muscle cells.

Epidermal Cells

These cells form a protective layer in the skin by fitting tightly together in the skin layer. They protect the skin from a variety of harmful factors like microbes, chemical compounds, or ultraviolet light.

Fat Cells

Fat cells are also known as lipocytes or adipocytes. They are primarily composed of adipose tissue. They are filled with droplets of liquid fat and store the energy as fat.

Cone Cells

Cones or cone cells are photoreceptors. They are found in the retina of the human eye. In the human eye, they detect light, enabling us to see things around us. They respond to high levels of illumination in the daylight and are responsible for initiating colour vision.

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Some Important Points To Remember

Different types of body cells have different lifespans. Some skin cells are worn out and regenerated. For example, many skin cells are worn out when we rub our hands. Some of these cells are replaced or regenerated with more of their kind by special cells called stem cells. The life span of some cells are given as under:

·        White blood cells take less than a day fighting infection.

·        The lifespan of skin cells are 30 days.

·        The lifespan of liver cells are 12 to 18 months.

·        Muscle cells live for 15 years.

·        Some nerve cells in the body lives for a whole lifetime.