Katherine Arias

Lab #2: Cell Biology

Post Lab Questions
1. What are the differences between plant cells and animal cells?
Plant cells have a rigid cell wall compose mostly of cellulose and one large vacuole. They
also have chloroplasts in order to obtain energy. Animal cells have no cell wall, and have
multiple vacuoles, usually small in size. There are no chloroplasts in animal cells. Animal
cells have instead lysosomes.
2. Describe the function of xylem and phloem.
The xylem is responsible for the transportation of water and mineral nutrients in the
plant. The phloem transfers organic nutrients, such as sucrose.
3. Name the four main types of tissues.
The four main types of tissues are epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous.
4. In what ways connective tissue differ from epithelial tissue?
Connective tissue protects and supports the body and its organs. Rather, epithelial tissues
cover body surfaces, and lines hollow organs, body cavities and ducts. Connective tissue
stores energy and epithelial tissues form glands.
5. What characteristics are common to all epithelial tissues?
All epithelial tissues consist of closely packed cells. They are all avascular and have a
good nerve supply. Their functions include protection, filtration, absorption,
transportation, excretion and reproduction.
6. What are the different cell shapes and arrangements found in epithelia?
Epithelia cells can be squamous, simple cuboidal, non-ciliated columnar, or ciliated
columnar.
7. Explain how to structures of simple squamous, cuboidal, ciliated and non-ciliated
columnar epithelium are related to their functions?
Simple squamous cells are flat like scales. Their thin shape and layered formation are
used for filtration and diffusion. Simple cuboidal cells are round and uniform. Used for
secretion and absorption, they are evenly shaped and sized so that production is even

between cells. Ciliated columnar cells are a single layer of rectangular cells that have
hair-like processes called cilia, that help move fluids or particles across its surface. They
function as protection for the areas such as the stomach or uterine tubes. Non-ciliated
columnar cells are also a single layer of rectangular cells, but rather, they have microvilli,
which increase their surface area and improve their main function of absorption.
8. Compare and contrast skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscles.
Skeletal muscle is striated, multinucleated and unbranched. The body can voluntarily
control skeletal muscle. Cardiac muscle is striated as well, except it is mono-nucleated
and involuntary. Smooth muscle is non-striated and spinal shaped, as well as involuntary.
Extra Credit: What is a stem cell? Name the two types of stem cells and how do they
differ?
Stem cells are cells that have the ability to develop into a large number of different cells
during early life. Two types of stem cells are embryonic stem cells, which fetuses possess
and somatic stem cells, which adults possess.
9. Describe the structure, function and location (in which tissue will you find them) of
the following cell types:
a. Fibroblast: Flattened cells with tapered ends. Secrete grounding substances and
fibers such as collagen, elastase, fibronectin and laminin. Provide strength. Found
in connective tissue such as tendons and ligaments.
b. Mast Cell: Small and circular. Releases histamine and other substances during
inflammatory and allergic reactions. Found in connective tissue.
c. Macrophages: Large and circular, sometimes have extended pseudopodia. They
secrete cytokines and defend against infection. Found in blood and connective
tissue.
d. Plasma Cells: Circular cells with large nucleus. White blood cells that secrete
antibodies. Found in the blood and connective tissue.
e. Chondrocytes: Round and clustered. Produce and maintain cartilage.
f. Adipocytes: Large cells with a small nucleus and large vacuoles that store fat:
triglycerides. Found in connective tissue, such as deep in the skin and around
organs.
g. Osteocytes: Cell that occupies a small chamber called the lacuna, formed within
bone. They secrete substances which form and maintain bone. Found in bone.

h. Hepatocytes: Cubical. Synthesize proteins, store proteins, and transform

carbohydrates. Detoxify the body. Found within liver.
i. Keratinocytes: Flat, symmetrical and clustered. Produces keratin. Found in the
outer layer of the skin.
j. Acinar Cells: Shaped like a pyramid. Synthesizes, stores and secretes digestive
enzymes. Found in the pancreas.
k. Erythrocytes: Aka Red Blood Cells. Biconcave discs, anucleate and no
organelles. Filled with hemoglobin and functions in gas transport. Travels the
bloodstream.
l. Keratocytes: Shapeless form, they sometimes have one or two spicules, that look
like horns. Maintain structure and transparency. Found in the eye.
m. Lymphocytes: Round with a large nucleus. Produces antibodies. Produced in
bone marrow, found in the blood. (WBC)
n. Monocytes: amoeboid in shape, very large with kidney shaped nucleus.
Function as immune defense, can change into several different cells. Found in
blood. (WBC)
o. Basophils: Contain large granules that blur the nucleus, which contains two
lobes. Store histamine. Circulate in the blood stream. (WBC)
p. Eosinophils: Contain large granules that blur the two nuclei. Destroys invaders,
particularly anti-body coated parasites. Circulates in the blood. (WBC)
q. Neutrophils: Contains a segmented nucleus and visible granules. Destroys and
kills invaders. Located in blood stream. (WBC)
r. Platelets: (Thrombocytes) Lens shaped when inactivated. Aid in blood clotting.
Located in blood stream.
s. Myocytes: Long tubular cell. Form and maintain muscles, in various specialized
forms. Found in muscles.
t. Neuron: Shaped like a star. Function to process and transmit information. Found
in the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves.
u. Goblet Cells: Column shaped. Modified simple columnar epithelial cell. Secretes
mucus. Found in respiratory and intestinal tracts.
v. Blastocyst: Embryo at 4-9 days of age. Consists of a large cavity and a small
section of clustered cells. Found in the womb, or occasionally in the fallopian
tube.