Why Understanding Animal Cell Structure Matters in Biology
Animals, plants, fungi and protista all consist of a total of one eukaryotic cell. In addition, one single prokaryotic cell is composed of bacteria and archaea.
A cell membrane (also called a plasma membrane) covers all of the cells. The cell membrane is the boundary separating the cell's inside from the cell's exterior. The plasma membrane contains all the components of the cell that are suspended in a gel-like fluid called cytoplasm. The cytoplasm is where the organelles are located.
The presence of a defined nucleus and other membrane - bound organelles such as the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus distinguishes eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells do not have a fixed nucleus (the genetic material is retained instead by a cytoplasm region called the nucleotide). These also lack organelles bound to the membrane.
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20 Facts About Animal Cells
You will find somewhere from a million to billions of cells inside an animal depending upon the average size of an animal cell. They differ greatly from plant cells and have different cell types that work differently. We've got 20 fun facts about animal cells so that you can develop a better understanding of cells in animals.
Fact 1: In general, animal cells are eukaryotic which means they have a nucleus. Not all animal cells do have a nucleus, however, the red blood cells, for example, do not have a nucleus since the cells do not need to replicate in meiosis or mitosis. They do not need a nucleus. The lack of a nucleus allows them to hold more haemoglobin within the cell.
Fact 2: Some animal cells may swim when necessary. Protozoans are examples of cells that are able to swim. In addition, sperm cells that have the male gamete can swim too. Once they are released they swim in the uterus towards the ova and merge with it.
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Fact 3: In animals, the stem cells are totipotent. This means they can transform the body needs into any necessary cell.
Fact 4: During the daily activity, among other things, the cell may face some malfunction in the strands of RNA and DNA. The cell has the functionality to automatically fix such malfunctions by itself.
Fact 5: This doesn't simply mean that the cells are immediately self-destructing. If a cell is damaged or has DNA defects, it will self-destruct, so that it does not harm other cells.
Fact 6: 70 percent of the cell is water while the rest is starch, protein, lipid, etc.
Fact 7: Cells have nan chemical factories which provide all it needs. These factories produce whatever the cell needs to do so that it can do the required work.
Fact 8: Animal cells are not visible to the naked eye just like any other cell.
Fact 9: The cytoskeleton helps keep the cell in shape. It is located inside the cell's cytoplasm which consists of proteins.
Fact 10: The nucleus within a cell is the most important element and there is therefore, a misconception that it is always located in the center of the cell. This is not always true. The nucleus can be found in any part of the cell.
Fact 11: Most cells have receptor-laden plasma membranes. As the name implies, receptors are structures that can transmit a signal from external stimuli. These are protein structures which receive and convey a signal from external agents into the cell. This is how the drugs function at the cellular level, bringing in the results needed. There are four types of receptors that have diverse functions in animal bodies.
Fact 12: Telomer decides lifespan: Telomeres are the sequences of repetitive nucleotides found at the end of each chromosome. These secure chromosome ends against damage and anomalous fusion with other chromosomes.
The cell divides by the mitosis processes and multiplies in numbers. The telomere length goes down for each cell division and it determines a cell 's lifespan. A cell may undergo approximately 40 to 60 divisions by mitosis, as per Hayflick's limit. Then afterwards, it goes for the process of senescence and dies via programmed cell death. Life in cells also depends on stress, nutrition, health and other conditions.
Fact 13: This is a process by which cells travel to a part of the body because of chemical signals. This is evident in white blood cells. When an injury or bite develops in one part of the body the cells of the WBC move to that point for protection and repair. Hence in the region of cuts, diseases or even cancer you may find pus. Migration is intended to kill the bacteria, create histamine and enhance the repair process. Therefore, during healing you'll notice the sensation of discomfort at the point of the wound.
Fact 14: The location or organelles vary with other factors required. In nerve cells, the mitochondria are concentrated at the nerve ends to generate the energy needed to transform the signal.
Fact 15: Red cells and cone cells arise in the eye to assist with vision. They have a protein called photoreceptor protein that absorbs light photons and induces changes in the potential of the membrane. Rod cells are so sensitive that a single photon can trigger them. The cats are six to eight times as large as humans. They can see in the dark at night, because of this.
Alternatively, humans have compound eyes and numerous hallucinations. Therefore, a single object appears to them as numerous objects.
Fact 16: Cells can eat alone. The type of white blood cells that can engulf any harmful bacteria or toxins in the body are macrophages and neutrophils. This eating of the cells is called phagocytosis. Neutrophils destroy any destructive bacteria found in the circulation of the blood. While in the tissues, the macrophages engulf any pathogenic microbes. When consumed by these cells, the microbes are digested by the lysosomal enzyme action.
Fact 17: RNA originates from amino acids. It's a kind of protein. The origin is organelles in the nucleus known as nuclei.
Fact 18: It is found inside the cell of an animal. This product has the function of transforming the oxygen into energy that the animal can use to live.
Fact 19: Paramecium is considered to be an animal although it is an individual cell. It features a tube and thread used for locomotion to keep it alive.
Fact 20: Animal cell size is about 1 to 100 micrometres. It's absolutely tiny and you can't see the cell through your naked eyes. You must get a microscope to scan it.
Conclusion
In the above-given facts, students will study the introduction about animals and some interesting facts about animals. Students can get amazing knowledge about the animal cells, types, features and functions. Also, you can get to know about how it is different from the plant class. Students can get all the related topics, revision notes and important questions at one stop that is Vedantu’s Biology.
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FAQs on 20 Essential Facts About Animal Cells
1. What are the main components of a typical animal cell?
A typical animal cell is a eukaryotic cell enclosed by a plasma membrane. Its main components are:
Cell Membrane: A semi-permeable outer layer that controls the entry and exit of substances.
Nucleus: The control centre of the cell which contains the genetic material (DNA).
Cytoplasm: A jelly-like substance filling the cell, where most metabolic activities occur and organelles are suspended.
Mitochondria: Known as the 'powerhouse' of the cell, it generates energy (ATP) through cellular respiration.
Ribosomes: Small structures responsible for protein synthesis.
Lysosomes: Organelles containing digestive enzymes to break down waste materials and cellular debris.
2. What are some interesting facts about animal cells?
There are many fascinating facts about animal cells. For instance, they come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, from tiny red blood cells to long nerve cells. Unlike plant cells, they lack a rigid cell wall, which gives them the flexibility to form diverse tissues like muscles and nerves. A fully grown human has trillions of cells, but mature red blood cells are unique because they lack a nucleus to maximise space for haemoglobin.
3. What makes an animal cell different from a plant cell?
The primary differences between animal and plant cells relate to their structure and function. Here are the key distinctions:
Cell Wall: Animal cells lack a rigid cell wall, whereas plant cells have a protective cell wall made of cellulose.
Shape: Due to the absence of a cell wall, animal cells typically have an irregular or flexible shape, while plant cells have a fixed, often rectangular shape.
Chloroplasts: Animal cells do not have chloroplasts as they cannot perform photosynthesis. Plant cells contain chloroplasts for making their own food.
Vacuoles: Animal cells may have small, temporary vacuoles, but plant cells have a large central vacuole that maintains turgor pressure.
Lysosomes: Animal cells have lysosomes, which are generally absent in plant cells.
4. Why do animal cells have an irregular shape?
The irregular shape of animal cells is primarily due to the absence of a rigid cell wall. This lack of a fixed outer boundary provides them with flexibility. This flexibility is crucial for various functions, such as the ability of white blood cells to change shape to engulf pathogens, or for muscle cells to contract and relax. The shape of an animal cell is highly adapted to its specific function within the organism.
5. How do the structures of different animal cells relate to their functions?
The structure of an animal cell is directly linked to its function, a principle known as cellular specialisation. For example:
Nerve Cells (Neurons): Have a long, thin structure called an axon to efficiently transmit electrical signals over long distances in the body.
Muscle Cells: Are long and fibrous, containing specialised proteins that allow them to slide past each other, causing the cell to contract and generate force.
Red Blood Cells: Have a biconcave disc shape that increases the surface area for oxygen absorption and allows them to squeeze through narrow capillaries.
6. What would happen if the mitochondria in an animal cell stopped working?
If the mitochondria in an animal cell stopped working, the cell would be unable to perform aerobic respiration. This would lead to a severe energy crisis, as mitochondria are responsible for producing the majority of the cell's energy currency, ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Without sufficient ATP, essential life processes like muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, DNA replication, and protein synthesis would fail, quickly leading to cell death.
7. Why are lysosomes known as the 'suicidal bags' of an animal cell?
Lysosomes are called 'suicidal bags' because they contain powerful digestive enzymes. Under normal conditions, these enzymes break down waste products, damaged organelles, and foreign invaders. However, if the cell is severely damaged or stressed beyond repair, the lysosome membrane may rupture. This releases the digestive enzymes into the cytoplasm, which then digest the entire cell, leading to a process of controlled cell death called autolysis.
