Types of Cells in the Body

LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION
 STEM CELLS
• Stem cells are unique in that they
originate as unspecialized cells and
have the ability to develop into
specialized cells that can be used
to build specific organs or tissues.
• Stem cells can divide and replicate
many times in order to replenish
and repair tissue.
• Appear in different organs and
tissues including the brain, blood,
bone marrow, muscle, skin, heart,
and liver tissues.
BONE CELLS (OSTEOCYTES)
• From Greek word “osteo” which
means bone.
• They are the toughest body cell
as they are bound together by
calcium and phosphate.
• They give strength ,support and
framework to the body by
enclosing organs in skeletal
system.
• There are three primary types of
bone cells in the body:
osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and
osteocytes.
• Osteoclasts are large cells that
decompose bone for resorption
and assimilation while they
heal.Breaks down bone tissue.
• Osteoblasts regulate bone
mineralization and produce
osteoid, an organic substance of
the bone matrix, which
mineralizes to form bone.
Osteoblasts mature to form
osteocytes.Synthesize bone.
• Osteocytes aid in the formation of
bone and help maintain calcium
balance.Mature bone cells.
BLOOD CELLS
• From transporting oxygen
throughout the body to fighting
infection, blood cell activity is
vital to life.
• Blood cells are produced by
bone marrow.
• The three major types of cells in
the blood are red blood cells,
white blood cells, and platelets.
• Red blood cells
(erythrocytes)determine blood
type and are responsible for
transporting oxygen.
• White blood cells (leukocytes)
are immune system cells that
destroy pathogens and provide
immunity.
• Platelets (thrombocytes) help
clot blood to prevent excessive
blood loss due to broken or
damaged blood vessels.
• Basophils release histamine to
mount a non-specific immune
response.
• Neutrophils are the first
responder of immune cells.
• Eosinophils fight bacteria and
parasites but also provoke
allergy symptoms.
• Monocytes turn into
macrophage or dendritic cells
when an invading germ or
bacteria enters your body.
• Lymphocytes are cells that
defend against specific invaders.
MUSCLE CELLS
• Muscle cells form
muscle tissue, which
enables all bodily
movement.
• The three types of
muscle cells are
skeletal, cardiac, and
smooth.
• Skeletal muscle attaches to
bones to facilitates voluntary
movement. These muscle cells
are covered by connective
tissue, which protects and
supports muscle fiber bundles.
• Cardiac muscle form involuntary
muscle, or muscle that doesn't
require conscious effort to
operate, found in the heart
• These cells aid in heart
contraction and are joined to
one another by intercalated
discs that allow for heartbeat
synchronization.
• Smooth muscle is not striated
like cardiac and skeletal muscle.
Smooth muscle is involuntary
muscle that lines body cavities
and forms the walls of many
organs such as kidneys,
intestines, blood vessels, and
lung airways.
FAT CELLS (ADIPOSE
CELL/ADIPOCYTES)
• Fat cells, also called adipocytes, are a
major cell component of adipose
tissue.
• Adipocytes contain droplets of stored
fat (triglycerides) that can be used for
energy.
• When fat is stored, its cells become
round and swollen. When fat is used,
its cells shrink.
• Adipose cells also have a critical
endocrine function: they produce
hormones that influence sex hormone
metabolism, blood pressure
regulation, insulin sensitivity, fat
storage and use, blood clotting, and
 SKIN CELLS (EPITHELIAL CELLS)
• It protects internal structures of the
body from damage, prevents
dehydration, acts as a barrier against
germs, stores fat, and produces
vitamins and hormones.
• The skin is composed of a layer of
epithelial tissue (epidermis) that is
supported by a layer of connective
tissue (dermis) and an underlying
subcutaneous layer.
NERVE CELLS (NEURON)
• Nerve cells or neurons are the
most basic unit of the nervous
system.
• Nerves send signals between the
brain, spinal cord, and other
body organs via nerve impulses.
• Structurally, a neuron consists of
a cell body and nerve processes.
The central cell body contains
the neuron's nucleus, associated
cytoplasm, and organelles.
Nerve processes are "finger-like"
projections (axons and
dendrites) that extend from the
cell body and transmit signals.
ENDOTHELIAL CELLS
• Endothelial cells form a single cell
layer that lines all blood vessels and
regulates exchanges between the
bloodstream and the surrounding
tissues.
• They make up the inner layer of blood
vessels, lymphatic vessels, and organs
including the brain, lungs, skin, and
heart.
• Endothelial cells are responsible for
angiogenesis or the creation of new
blood vessels.
SEX CELLS
• Sex cells or gametes are
reproductive cells created in
male (testes) and female
(ovaries) gonads that bring new
life into existence.
• Male sex cells or sperm are
motile and have long, tail-like
projections called flagella.
• Female sex cells or ova are non-
motile and relatively large in
comparison to male gametes.
• In sexual reproduction, sex cells
unite during fertilization to form
a new individual. While other
body cells replicate by mitosis,
gametes reproduce by meiosis.
PANCREATIC CELLS
• The pancreas functions as both
an exocrine and endocrine
organ, meaning that it
discharges hormones both
through ducts and directly into
other organs.
• Pancreatic cells are important
for regulating blood glucose
concentration levels as well as
for the digestion of proteins,
carbohydrates, and fats.
• exocrine glands secrete
substances into a ductal system
to an epithelial surface.
salivary,mucous,sabaceous
• endocrine glands secrete
products directly into the
bloodstream.
ovaries, testes, thyroid gland, adrenal glands.
CANCER CELLS
• Unlike all of the other cells listed,
cancer cells work to destroy the
body.
• Cancer results from the
development of abnormal cell
properties that cause cells to divide
uncontrollably and spread to other
locations.
• Cancer cell development can
originate from mutations stemming
from exposure to chemicals,
radiation, and ultraviolet light.
• Cancer can also have genetic
origins such as chromosome
replication errors and cancer-
causing viruses of the DNA.
• They also lose the ability to
undergo apoptosis or
programmed cell death,
making them even more
formidable.