TYPES OF
CELLS
Prepared by: Ms. Rica A. de Vera
INTRODUCTION
Improvements in
microscopy and the study
of cells led to the
classification of organisms
according to cellular
organization and
architecture.
When scientists started
using microscopes, two
basic cellular architectures
were discovered:
prokaryotic and eukaryotic.
Learning objectives
Identify the Classify the types Identify some cell
different types of of cells and modifications
cells describe each that lead to
adaptation for
specialized
functions
PROKARYOTIC CELLS
Prokaryotic cells have a relatively
simple organization. They are mostly Pili
microscopic, measuring from 1 to 10
µm in diameters, and exist in unicellular
form.
The term prokaryote is derived from the
words pro and karyon, which mean
“before” and “kernel”, respectively.
This term describes cells that already
exist before the evolution of the cell
nucleus.
PROKARYOTIC CELLS
Prokaryotic cells do not have a Pili
membrane-bound. There are
two groups of bacteria in terms
of evolution – the
archaebacteria and the
eubacteria. Both of these
groups are prokaryotic.
PARTS OF A PROKARYOTIC CELL
1. GLYCOCALYX – and outer
layer that provides A BACTERIAL CELL
protection. It is an
important virulence factor Pili
since it protects disease-
causing bacteria.
It helps bacteria hold on to
surfaces and protects them
from being engulfed by
macrophages. It may exist as
a rigid capsule or a more
unstructured slime layer.
PARTS OF A PROKARYOTIC CELL
2. CELL WALL - a structure
that confers rigidity and A BACTERIAL CELL
shape to the cell. It is found
outside of the plasma Pili
membrane and is composed
of peptidoglycan.
3. PLASMA MEMBRANE - a
structure that prevents the loss of
water and electrolytes inside the
cell. It also prevents the entry of
unwanted substances into the
cell. It is composed of
phospholipid bilayer.
PARTS OF A PROKARYOTIC CELL
4. PLASMID - a small,
circular, extrachromosomal A BACTERIAL CELL
DNA molecule found in the
Pili
cytoplasm. It is separate from
chromosomal DNA.
5. NUCLEOID - the region
where DNA is concentrated
PARTS OF A PROKARYOTIC CELL
6. CYTOPLASM - the whole
inside region of the cell A BACTERIAL CELL
where chromosomes,
Pili
ribosomes, and other cellular
inclusions are suspended.
7. RIBOSOME - the site where
proteins are synthesized or
create
PARTS OF A PROKARYOTIC CELL
8. PILUS (plural, pili) - a
short, hairlike appendage on A BACTERIAL CELL
the surface of some bacteria.
Pili
It helps bacteria adhere to the
surfaces of host cells.
It can also be used to transfer
genetic material from one
bacterium to another, in
which case it is called sex
pilus.
PARTS OF A PROKARYOTIC CELL
9. FLAGELLUM (plural,
flagella) - a long, threadlike A BACTERIAL CELL
structure that facilitates
Pili
movement in bacteria
10. FIMBRIAE - bristle-like
fibers that are shorter than
pili. It is primarily used for
bacterial attachment to tissue
surfaces.
EUKARYOTIC CELLS
Eukaryotic cells are more
complex than prokaryotic
cells. A typical eukaryotic cell
measures 10 to 100 µm in
diameter. They are bigger than
prokaryotic cells. These cells
have components that are
surrounded by membranes
which are called organelles.
EUKARYOTIC CELLS
The nucleus, the largest cell
organelle, encloses the genetic
material and is suspended in the
cytoplasm. The most
distinguishing feature of this type
of cell is compartmentalization,
which is achieved by the
endomembrane system that
occupies the interior of the cell,
including the membrane- bound
organelles.
EUKARYOTIC CELLS
Most of these organelles
independently perform their
multiple biochemical jobs,
which can proceed
independently or
simultaneously. Examples of
eukaryotic cells are those that
come from animals, plants,
protists, and fungi.
EUKARYOTIC CELLS
The eukaryotic cells in your
body and in other multicellular
organisms vary in many
aspects. It may vary in terms of
size, shape, internal
organization, and function.
CELL MODIFICATIONS
AND ADAPTATIONS
CELL MODIFICATION
Cell modification refers to a process
in which an ordinary or genetic cell
is transformed into a specialized
cell in order to do a specific task for
the body.
The function that they perform
after modification becomes
different from their previous
tasks.
For instance, not all cells in the
small intestine are the same in
structure and function. Some
have microvilli, while others do
not.
Microvilli are
cytoplasmic extensions
that increase the
surface area of a cell,
hence, increasing the
absorption of nutrients.
Nerve cells, which are
mostly elongated,
facilitate the
transmission of
impulses from the brain
to the spinal cord and
different parts of the
body.
Red blood cells (RBC)
have a biconcave-disc
shape that are highly
deformable. Their size
of 2-3 µm in diameter
allows for easy
movement through the
blood vessel.
Red blood cells (RBC)
and platelets lose their
nucleus as they mature.
Losing the nucleus
increases the surface
for gas exchange,
enabling the optimal
oxygenation of tissues
in the body.
The sperm cell is
another specialized cell
with parts that help
carry out its function.
Sperm cells have a tail,
the flagellum, which
propels them toward
the egg for fertilization.
Sperm cells have plenty
of mitochondria along
their middle piece,
which power the
flagellum to move them
toward the egg cell.
The skin of some animals
such as amphibians,
squids, and octopuses
contains chromatophores.
These are star-shaped
cells containing
bioluminescent pigments
that facilitate the changing
of the color of the body.
Jellyfish and Hydra have
nematocysts or stinging
cells that contain a
needle-like structure used
to inject a toxic substance
into the prey of interest.
In plant cells, there are also
specialized cells such as root
hairs, which are elongated
outgrowths from the outer
layer of root cells that help
absorb water and minerals.
They increase the absorption
area and capacity of the
roots. Cells on the surface of
the leaf are elongated in
shape and are loaded with
chloroplasts.
Plant cells also have
plasmodesmata or small
pits that link one plant cell
to another. They facilitate
the movement of
molecules between
adjoining cells. Guard cells
are specialized to regulate
the opening and closing of
the stomata.
Another specialized
modification in eukaryotic
cells is the presence of
cell-cell junctions, the
point where two cells come
together. Through the cell
junctions, the cells are
joined in long term
associations, thus, forming
tissues and organs.
“Each of us is a
universe of our living
cells.”
Have a nice day!
