Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Sperm Cell
http://utahhealthsciences.net/customer/image_gallery/373/13SEM.J
PG
Fat Cells
www.broadinstitute.org
White Blood
Cell
http://medpediamedia.com/u/653pxSEM_Lymphocyte.jpg/653px-SEM_Lymphocyte_large.jpg
Macrophage
s
surrounding
parasite
www.eyeofscience.com
scienceblog.com
Melanocytes
Location
Melanocytes are specialized skin cells located in the basal
(bottom) layer of the epidermis (the outermost layer of
skin).
Function
Melanocytes produce and secrete melanin, the pigment
that gives skin color and protects the DNA in skin cells
from UV radiation.
How cell structure relates to function
Melanocytes are rounded cells with long, branch-like
extensions called dendrites. The dendrites extend into the
lower layers of the epidermis.
http://photoprotection.clinuvel.com/custom/uploads/2008
0616_fig1_melanosome_v1(2).gif
Within each meloanocyte are unique organelles called
melanosomes where the production of melanin takes
place. The cell produces mass quanities of an enzyme
called tyrosinase that catalyzes the reaction that produces
melanin. A defect in the tyrosinase gene or the expression
of the gene blocks the production of melanin and results in
albinsm. The biochemical pathway that produces melanin
is common to many organisms, thus albinism occurs in
many species.
www.stormfront.org
sunde.worldpress.com
www.sharenator.com
After the melanin is produced, the dendrites of the
melanocytes transfer the melanosome (with the melanin)
to keratinocytes (the pigment storing cells of the
skin). The melanosomes are taken in by receptor
mediated endocytosis and are deposited over the nucleus
of the keratinocytes to protect the DNA from UV radiation.
Differentiation of Melanocytes
Melanocytes differentiate from unspecialized skin cells
during embryonic development. Changes in gene
expression result in the formation of the melanosomes
from components of the SER, RER and Golgi, the activation
of the tyrosinase gene, and modifications to the
cytoskeleton that allows for the formation of dendrites.
http://media-2.web.britannica.com/
Location
Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are specialized cells of the
circulatory system. They are the most common component of
blood. A small droplet of blood contains about 5 million
erythrocytes. They constitute 40% of a female's blood volume and
45% of a male's blood volume. (Males have more red blood cells
than females! This is one of the reason males typically have
greater physical stamina then females.)
Function
RBCs carry oxygen from the lungs to body cells.
Differentiation of RBC's
Red blood cells form from undifferentiated cells in the bone marrow
throughout your life. Bone marrow is the soft, interior portion of
certain bones found in the chest, upper arms, upper legs and
hips. The cells located here are undifferentiated, but limited in the
type of cell they can become. They can only differentiate into a
type of blood cell. They are capable of dividing continuously to
allow lost blood cells to be replenished. As RBC's differentiate,
changes in gene expression result in the destruction of their
nucleus, the production of hemoglobin proteins, and modifications
to the cytoskeleton allowing them to take their donut shape. Once
differentiation is complete, they are released into the blood
stream. You body replaces 2 million red blood cells every second.
blog.everyonemd.com
ml-leukemia.com
Sperm Cells
www.stanford.edu
Location
Sperm cells are specialized cells of the male reproductive system that form
in the testes.
Function:
The function of sperm cells is to deliver the paternal (father) contribution
of chromosomes to the ovum (egg).
Sperm cells have three distinct regions, the head, midpiece and tail. The
head consists of an acrosome and a nucleus. The acrosome is a
specialized lysosome containing enzymes that digest the protective outer
layers of the ovum allowing the sperm to penetrate and fertilize the
egg. The nucleus contains the fathers contribution of chromosomes for
the soon to be embryo. All cytoplasm surrounding the nucleus is
partitioned off during the maturation process to increase efficiency. The
midpiece is packed with mitochondria that break down glucose (present in
semen) producing ATP to power the movement of the flagella. The tail is
Differentiation Process
Sperm cells differentiate from precursor cells called spermatogonia in the
testes. This begins at puberty and occurs for the rest of life. The
differentiation process begins when spermatogonia undergo meiosis, a
special form of cell division that cuts the chromosome number in
half. After meiosis, changes in gene expression result in the formation of
the acrosome, loss of excess cytoplasm, and formation of a flagellum.
Adipocytes
http://www.biochem.arizona.edu/classes/bioc462
Location
Adipocytes are fat cells located under the skin
(subcutaneous fat), above the kidneys, and in the liver and
muscles. Men tend to concentrate their fat stores in the
chest, abdomen and buttocks producing an "apple"
shape. Women tent to carry their fat stores in the breasts,
hips, waist and buttocks, creating a "pear" shape. The
average person has between 25 and 30 million
adipocytes. This number can rise to 360 million in
seriously obese individuals.
Function
Adipocytes serve three functions. They insulate, provide
cushion, and most importantly store energy in the form of
triglycerides (1 glycerol plus 3 fatty acids).
receptors for insulin (the hormone that triggers the fat cell
to take up and store fat) and glucogon (the hormone that
induces the fat cell to release fat stores for energy).