Today we will analyze the question: "What determines the shape of the cells?" To begin with, we note that our body is completely composed of individual cells. All our internal and external organs are a constructor, the components of which are small cells, which we can only see under a microscope.
What determines the shape of the cells? Here you can highlight a number of factors, which we will list a little later. First, we have to get acquainted with the structure (structure) of the cell. It is important to know that all of them can be divided into groups:
- vegetable;
- animals;
- bacteria cells.
We will consider each species separately.
Cell
All life around us consists of cells, which are a cavity surrounded by a membrane. This hollow space is filled with an aqueous and concentrated solution, the basis of which is water.
So we can say: a cell is an elementary unit, they can not only form something more, but also exist independently. They have a number of features, such as:
- metabolism;
- existence independently;
- self-reproduction;
- development.
It is important to know that they can have different shapes and sizes. What the shape of the cells depends on, we will definitely analyze it after familiarizing ourselves with their structure. A cell, like all living things on our planet, is evolving, we will not talk about the process of transformation itself, but consider the current result.
Structure
Despite the fact that cell shapes, sizes and purposes can be varied, they have a fairly similar structure. We single out the general structural units:
- cell membrane;
- cytoplasm;
- nucleus.
That is, there are three structural units that can be found in most cases. However, there are exceptions. Take the muscles, its cells are composed of a membrane, cytoplasm and several nuclei. Now we have examined an example when there are many nuclei in one cell, but there is also their complete absence. An example of a second option would be a red blood cell. The latter do not have so many functions and capabilities, since there is no way to self-renew and reproduce (because there is a lack of a kernel).
It is important to know what protoplasm is. This is a community of nucleus and cytoplasm. Now we will briefly consider what functions each component of the cell performs. The membrane performs primarily a barrier function, separates the protoplasm from the penetration of unnecessary substances.
The cytoplasm resembles a jelly-like mass and consists of three components:
- hyaloplasm;
- organelle;
- inclusions.
It is the cytoplasm that is responsible for the vital processes of the cell: metabolism, energy and information exchange.
Among all the functions of the nucleus , the following can be distinguished: regulation of metabolism, RNA synthesis, storage and transmission of hereditary information.
Forms
What determines the shape of the cells? From their destination - this is primarily. In this section, we highlight the possible options. But before that, it is important to note their sizes, which are also very different. For example, some bacteria are about 0.2 microns in size. If someone does not know, then 1 micron is equal to one thousandth of 1 mm. Such a cell cannot be seen with the naked eye, but there are larger examples (chicken, quail, ostrich, and so on). In fact, this is one cell, and its dimensions reach 18 centimeters in length.
Select some forms:
- ball;
- polyhedron;
- star;
- cylinder and so on.
You see the variety of shapes and sizes of cells. The simplest form is a lymphocyte - a ball, hepatocytes (liver cells) appear in the form of a polyhedron, a star - osteoblast (bone tissue), and so on.
Plant cells
The forms of cells of plant origin are constantly the same, but animals can change. Vegetable have a strong shell that prevents them from transforming.
The sizes usually vary between 10 and 100 microns (cell sizes of higher plants). But there are larger cells, they serve for the supply of nutrients and water. These are tubers of potatoes or juicy fruits. We can see with the naked eye the cells of the pulp of a lemon, watermelon or orange, since their size is several millimeters. Some fibers (flax, nettle) reach a length of up to 80 millimeters.
Animal cells
Now we will briefly examine the shapes and sizes of cells of animal origin. It is important to know that they have a slightly different structure than vegetable ones. Compare photos in the past and this section. In most cases, animal cells are very small (about 50 microns). Therefore, they have to be studied under a microscope. Shapes and sizes are very different. For example:
- muscle cell is an elongated shape;
- blood cell - oval;
- skin cell - flat or goblet shape.
Bacteria cells
We have already examined the shapes of animal and plant cells, but what do bacteria cells look like ? All bacteria can be divided into groups (in shape):
- spherical;
- rod-shaped;
- crimped.
You can see some examples in the photo presented in the section. Bacteria are very small, these cells can only be seen under a strong microscope.