Cell Size Shape Count, Types of Shell Shapes
Cell is the smallest unit that is capable of independent living and is found in all living things, including bodily tissues. Check this article to know about Cell, its Size, Types of Cell Shapes and Count.
Jasdeep Bhatia6 Mar, 2024
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Introduction
All living organisms are composed of various specialized cells. Cells are functional and fundamental structural units of life. Some of them are composed of a single cell and are called unicellular organisms while others, like us, are composed of many cells, and are called multicellular organisms. In eukaryotes, cells have a membrane-bound nucleus, whereas prokaryotic cells lack a membrane-bound nucleus.
Cell Size
Cell size plays an important role in its function and cells greatly differ in size, ranging from just a few micrometers to several hundred micrometers. For instance, Mycoplasma is the smallest cell 0.3um in size, bacteria are often 3–5 micrometers in size, while some plant cells, such as those found in the trunk of a tree, can be several centimeters in length. On the other hand, animal cells, such as those found in the human body, are typically 10–30 micrometers in size. Ostrich Egg is the largest isolated single cell, whereas human nerve cells are the longest cells. The size of a cell is dependent on a variety of factors, such as the type of organism, the type of cell, the cytoplasmic content and organelles, and the surface area-to-volume ratio.Cell shape
Cell shape is one of the most defining characteristics of cells, cell shape can vary greatly depending on the type and function of cells. Understanding the different shapes of cells gives an insight into the basic structure and function of cells, as well as it also informs how they interact with each other.Types of Cell Shapes
Spherical: Spherical cells are round, like a ball. This round shape provides a large surface area to volume ratio, which is to play an important role in exchanging materials with their environment quickly. Examples of spherical cells include red blood cells. Cylindrical: Cylindrical cells are elongated and cylindrical. This shape provides flexibility to the cells and provides a greater length-to-width ratio than spherical cells. For example, nerve cells and muscle cells. Cube-shaped: Cube-shaped cells are rare in their occurrence, but can be found in certain types of tissues. This shape is important for those tissues where there is a need to be compact and densely packed, such as bone cells. Flat and Disc-shaped: Flat, disc-shaped cells are often found in tissues that need to provide a flat surface for support, such as skin cells and muscle cells. Spiral: Spiral cells are long, twisting cells that are most common among bacteria. This shape provides a large surface area for exchange with the environment and helps the cell move through its environment. Irregular: Irregular cells are cells that do not have a definite shape and can be found in tissues such as connective tissue. The shape of a cell is determined by its cell membrane and cytoskeleton, a network of protein fibers that gives the cell its structure. The shape of the cell is essential for its function, as it determines the surface area to volume ratio and affects the movement and exchange of materials with the environment.Cell count
Cell count refers to the process of determining the number of cells in a biological sample. This can be performed using several advanced and simple techniques, including manual counting under a microscope, automatic cell counters, and image analysis software.- Manual counting is done using a microscope, it is considered one of the traditional methods of cell counting. It involves preparing a sample, staining the cells, and then visualizing and counting the number of cells under a microscope.
- The light microscope works on the principle of light refraction and reflection. The basic components of a light microscope include a light source, lenses, and an eyepiece. Here is a step-by-step explanation of the working of a light microscope:
- Light source: The light source provides illumination to the specimen. In modern light microscopes, LED or halogen lights are used as the light source.
- Lenses: The lenses of a light microscope are used to magnify the image of the specimen. There are two main types of lenses in a light microscope: the objective lens and the eyepiece lens. The objective lens is located near the specimen and magnifies the image, while the eyepiece lens further magnifies the image for the observer to see.
Cellular Respiration Aerobic Anaerobic
- Refraction: Light passes through the objective lens and is refracted, or bent, as it passes from air to glass and back to air. This bending of light causes the image of the specimen to be magnified.
- Reflection: The light then passes through a mirror or prism that reflects the light into the eyepiece. This reflection further magnifies the image, allowing the observer to see the specimen in greater detail.
- Observation: The observer views the magnified image through the eyepiece. By adjusting the focus and choosing different objective lenses, the observer can change the magnification and observe different structures within the specimen.
- Automated cell counters use electronic sensors to count cells. They are faster and more accurate than manual counting, but they are also more expensive.
- Flow cytometry is an advanced, high-speed method of cell counting that uses lasers and light-sensitive detectors to count cells. This method is particularly applied for counting cells in suspensions, such as blood cells, and additionally, it also analyses the size and shape of the cells. The flow cytometer uses hydrodynamic focusing and laser-induced fluorescence to measure the physical and chemical characteristics of individual cells, such as size, granularity, and fluorescence intensity, in a high-throughput manner.
Cells Size Shape Count FAQs
Why is the cell count important?
Cell count is an important measurement in many branches of biology, including medical diagnosis, basic research, and industrial applications.
How do cells maintain their cell shape?
The cytoskeleton is a network of protein fibers that provides structural support and shape to cells. It is composed of three main types of protein fibers: microtubules, intermediate filaments, and microfilaments. The cytoskeleton helps to maintain the shape of a cell, as well as also provides the ability to change shape when necessary. For example, during cell division, the cytoskeleton helps to maintain the shape of the dividing cell and aids in pulling the chromosomes apart during cell division.
Which is the smallest cell on the earth?
The smallest cell on Earth is one of the species of Mycoplasma, it is a type of bacteria that measures only about 0.3 to 0.5 micrometers in size.
What is the shape of Streptococcus bacteria?
Cocci bacteria are spherical-shaped bacteria that can occur in chains, clusters, or pairs. The term "cocci" is derived from the Greek word for "berry," which refers to the shape of these bacteria. Some of the most commonly known species of cocci bacteria include Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Neisseria.
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