Animal cell: what is, parts and functions

The animal cell is the basic functional unit of the Animal fabricswhich are multicellular organisms. It is, like the plant cell, a type of eukaryotic cell characterized by having a true core and specialized organelles, which differentiates it from prokaryotic cells. There is a wide variety of animal cells, but did you know that there are more than 200 different classes in the human body? Next, we describe the types of animal cells and their functions more characteristic, although they are not present in all animals.

• Epithelial cells: Normally they are the cells that are present in the walls of the organs, forming the coating tissues. They present different specializations according to the organ in which they are found, since this specialization determines its function. For example, the Epithelium cells of the small intestine have microvings to increase the surface of absorption of nutrients.
• Nervous cells: Two types of cells form nerve tissue: neurons and glia cells. Neurons are those that are specialized in the transmission of nerve impulse by synapses between neurons or between neuron and muscle cell. Glial cells, on the other hand, do not transmit nerve impulses, but serve as support and maintenance of neurons. By their function, both have a branched or starry form, which facilitates communication between them.
• Muscle cells: There are three main types of muscle cells: those of smooth, skeletal and cardiac muscle tissue. They present the characteristics that they are contractile because they have the ability to transform chemical energy into mechanics. The shapes of these cells are varied since according to the tissue they form have one function or another. Those of the smooth muscle are elongated, those of skeletal and cardiac have stretch marks, but the latter are characterized by presenting an involuntary rhythmic contraction.
• Blood cells: There are different three types of blood cells: red blood cells (or erythrocytes), white blood cells (or leukocytes) and platelets. Erythrocytes are the most peculiar, because they are the only cells of the human body that have no core. These cell types generally move through the bloodstream and serve for the transport and exchange of oxygen and CO2 (red blood cells), production of antibodies for the immune response (white blood cells) or coagulation for the maintenance of the circulatory system.
• Adipose cells: They are adipocytes, large cells and whose function is to store energy in the form of fatty acids inside, protein and hormone secretion and thermal and mechanical protection function.
• Cartilaginous cells: and they call condrochs and have flattened and rounded shape and presence of microvings. In the human body, these cells are present in tissues found in the ribs, joints, nose … and together they have a support function.
• Bone: They are responsible for bone growth and degradation. There are three types: osteoblasts, osteoclasts and osteocytes.

Apart from knowing these functions of animal cells and their types, we also recommend reading this other article on animal tissues. In addition, you can learn more about eukaryotic cells in this article and in the video below.

To know the main characteristics of the animal cell, it should be started by learning what its parts and its functions are. Summarized, this is the list of the parts of the animal cell:

• Core
• Plasma membrane
• Cytoplasm
• Endoplasmic reticulum
• Golgi apparatus
• Centering
• Cilia and Flagelos
• Mitochondria
• Cytoskeleton

Apart from continuing to read this article to know details about the characteristics and Functions of the animal cell partswe also advise you to read this other post about the difference between a eukaryotic cell and a prokaryotic cell.

It is the Organelo specialized in processing and managing information of the cell. Normally, eukaryotic cells have A single nucleusbut there are exceptions where we can find more than one. The shape of this organelle varies depending on the cell in which it is found, but usually looks round. It stored the genetic material in the form of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) and is the one in charge of coordinating cell activities: from its growth to reproduction. The nucleus also has a visible structure called Nucleolus and is formed by the concentration of chromatin and proteins. Mammals have a number of between 1 and 5 nucleol in the cell.

Here you can learn about the cell nucleus: what is, characteristics, parts and function and the difference between DNA and RNA.

The plasma membrane is the structure that wraps the cell And it is present in All cells alive. Is responsible for encompassing their content and protect them from the outside environmentwhich does not mean that it is a hermetic membrane, since it has pores and other structures through which certain molecules necessary to carry out the internal processes of the animal cell pass.

In this link you will see a summary about the plasma membrane: what is, functions and structure.

The cytoplasm of animal cells space between the cytoplasmic membrane and the nucleusalso surrounds all organelles. It is formed by 70% water and the rest is a mixture of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and mineral salts. This means is vital for the development of cell activity.

We tell you more about the cytoplasm: what is, function and structure in this other article.

The endoplasmic reticulum is an organelle that is shape of flattened sacks and tubules stacked from each other that share the same internal space. The reticulum is organized in several domains that are: the rough endoplasmic reticulumwith flattened membranes and associated ribosomes, and smooth endoplasmic reticulumof more irregular appearance and without associated ribosomes.

Here you can learn more about them: rough endoplasmic reticulum: what is and smooth endoplasmic reticulum: what is and function.

It is a set of cisterns -shaped membranes in charge of the distribution and sending of the chemicals of the cell, that is, it is the Cell Secretion Center. It is similar in form to the complex or Golgi apparatus of the plant cells, formed by three parts: the membranous sacks, tubules, where the substances inside and exterior of the cell are sent, and, finally, the vacuoles.

Here you can read more about the Golgi apparatus: definition and function.

The centering is characteristic of the animal cell and is a cylindrical and hollow structure composed of two centrioles arranged perpendicular to each other. The composition of this organelus is of protein tubules and has a very important function in the Cell divisionsince it organizes the cytoskeleton and gives rise to the acromatic spindle during mitosis. It can also cause cilia or flagella.

You can see more information about the centers: function and structure here.

The Cilia and Flagelos of the Animal Cell They are appendices formed by microtubules that give cell mobility. They are present in unicellular organisms and are responsible for their locomotion and in other cells they serve to remove the environment or for sensory function. As for the number, the cilia are more abundant than the scourges.

Mitochondria are the organelles of the animal cell to which nutrients arrive and are transformed into energyin a process called breathing. They have an elongated shape and have two membranes: an internal that replies forming ridges and a smooth external. The number of mitochondria present in each cell depends on the activity of this (for example, in muscle cells there will be a high number of them).

In this other post you can read about the mitochondria: function and structure.

To finish the list of the main parts of the animal cells, we mention the cytoskeleton. It is formed by a set of filaments found in the cytoplasm and has a Support function For organelles, in addition to the function of shape the cell.

Discover more about the cytoskeleton: what is, characteristics, function and structure in this link.

As we have already talked about what are the parts of the animal cell and its functions, we now clarify that, although there are some characteristics and organelles that the animal and vegetable cell have in common, the truth is that they have clear differences. These are the main differences between an animal cell and a plant cell:

• The most characteristic difference is that Animal cell can be found only in animalsthat is, in living beings of the animal kingdom and the plant cell is present only in floorsof the plant kingdom, and in algaeof the kingdom of the protists. Know here more about the Animalia kingdom: what is, classification and examples, Kingdom Plantae: what is, classification and examples and protist kingdom: what is, classification and examples.
• The animal cell does not have external cell wall or chloroplasts.
• One of the parts of the animal cell that does not have the vegetable is The Center And, in addition, it has more numerous vacuoles inside.
• The presence of Cilia or flagella It is also more frequent in animals cells, since in the vegetables only cilia usually appear in the gamete phase of some plants or algae.

In this other article and in this video you can see more about the difference between the animal and plant cell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn0ftda0hps

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