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Cells are the basic unit of life. Animal cells are distinguished from other types of cells by their distinctive shapes and sizes and the presence of organelles not found in other types of cells. Animal cells can also move around actively, allowing them to interact with their surroundings. Animal cells differ from other cells in that they can move and interact with their surroundings. The cell is surrounded by a plasma membrane, which contains proteins that allow the cell to move. Animal cells also have a cytoskeleton, which aids in cell movement and shape maintenance. Microtubules and actin filaments are proteins that make up the cytoskeleton. Animal cells, like human cells, have a nucleus and other organelles that allow them to function.
List of animal cell parts and their various functions
Animal cells have a well-organised nucleus surrounded by a nuclear envelope. Skin, muscle, blood, nerve, and fat cells are the various types of animal cells. Animal cells are round or oval in shape and range in diameter from 10 to 100 micrometres. A plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus are all components of animal cells. Organelles found in the cytoplasm include mitochondria, ribosomes, and the endoplasmic reticulum. The chromosomes are held in the nucleus.
What is an Animal Cell?
An animal cell is a type of eukaryotic cell with membrane-bound cell organelles but no cell wall.
The cell’s size ranges from a few microns to a few centimetres.
The ostrich egg, for example, measures 170 mm x 130 mm and is the largest animal cell.
Eukaryotic cells lack cell organelles that prokaryotic cells lack. The centriole, which performs cell division, is found in animal cells.
The function of a Cell Nucleus
The nucleus of animal cells is well-organised, with a nuclear envelope.
In addition, it has locomotory structures.
The plasma membrane, peroxisome, centriole, ribosomes, lysosome, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, nucleus, nucleolus, cytoplasm, nuclear envelope, and Golgi apparatus are examples of well-organised cell organelles.
Animal Cell Structure
Animal cells contain a variety of cell organelles that each perform a specific function. The examples are:
Plasma Membrane
The plasma membrane is a semipermeable membrane that surrounds the animal cell. It is composed of lipids embedded with proteins and carbohydrates that regulate nutrient entry and exit.
The nuclear membrane is the outer layer that covers the nucleus.
The nucleus is a cell organelle that includes sub-organelles such as the chromatin, nucleolus and nuclear envelope. It has genetic material in it.
Cell Organelles
A cell organelle is a small cellular structure that serves a specific function within the cell. Cell organelles can be thought of as the internal organs of a cell. The nucleus, for example, is the cell’s brain, and the mitochondria are the cell’s hearts. Cell organelles are frequently surrounded by their membranes, which divide the cell into numerous small compartments for various biochemical reactions.
Cell organelles are responsible for generating energy for the cell and controlling its growth and reproduction. From this perspective, cell organelles can also be viewed as different teams within the factory. Each team completes its assigned task and collaborates to ensure that the entire factory runs smoothly.
Microvilli
These are needle-like outgrowths of the plasma membrane. The villi allow cells or surrounding fluids to move.
Lysosomes
These are membrane-bound vesicular structures formed during the Golgi apparatus packaging process. These contain a high concentration of hydrolytic enzymes and can digest proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids.
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
A tiny tubular structure in the cytoplasm. The ER with ribosomes on its surface is referred to as Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum, whereas the ER without ribosomes is regarded as Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum. RER is involved in protein synthesis and secretion, whereas SER is involved in lipid synthesis.
Cytoplasm
It is a jelly-like structure that exists within the cell membrane. It comprises cell organelles and allows them to move around within the cell.
Ribosomes
These are RNA-based structures with granular shapes. It is the site of protein synthesis. Eukaryotes are made up of 80 S ribosomes.
Golgi apparatus
The Golgi apparatus is a flat, disc-shaped sac or cisternae located near the nucleus. Its primary function is to package materials. It is a crucial site for the synthesis of glycoproteins and glycolipids.
Centrosomes
These are organelles with two structures known as centrioles surrounded by pericentriolar materials. It partakes in the cell division process.
Mitochondria
Mitochondria are aerobic respiration sites that generate energy in the form of ATP. Mitochondria have a cylindrical structure.
Peroxisome
The peroxisome is an organelle that aids in digesting compounds such as fats and amino acids.
Types of Animal Cell
Animal cells are classified into several types, each performing a specific function in an organism.
Muscle cells
These are long tubular cells that aid in locomotion. Skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle cells are all included.
Nerve Cell
The nervous system contains nerve cells or neurons. Dendrites and axons are signal-sending and receiving extensions. Schwann cells and glial cells are included.
Fat Cell
These cells, also known as adipocytes, are responsible for storing fats and other lipids.
Skin Cell
Skin cells are derived from tissues that protect the body’s external environment. Melanocytes, keratinocytes, Merkel cells, and Langerhans cells are all part of it.
Blood Cells
These cells are in charge of transporting oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. It consists of red blood cells (which lack a nucleus) and white blood cells (which help fight infections).
Conclusion
An animal cell is responsible for all of the body’s operations, including the production and storage of energy, the production of proteins, which are molecules that play a part in metabolism, the transportation of other molecules, and DNA replication.
