Specialized Cells

• Nerve cells
• Muscle cells
• Blood cells
• Epithelial cells
• Bone cells
• Fat cells
• Reproductive cells
Specialized Cells

• Specialized cells are cells

that have developed
unique structures and
functions that allow them
to carry out specific tasks
in the human body.
Specialized Cells

• They work together to

form the tissues, organs,
and systems that make
up our bodies.
Specialized Cells
There are many types of specialized cells in the human body:
• nerve cells – Transmits electrical and chemical signals throughout the body
• muscle cells – Body movement
• blood cells - Transportation of oxygen and nutrients
• epithelial cells – Absorption, protection, secretion, and sensory activities
• bone cells – Maintain the structure and function of the bone.
• fat cells – Store energy in the form of fat.
• reproductive cells - Give rise to offspring through sexual reproduction
TEST YOURSELF

Which of the following is a characteristic feature

of plant cells but not animal cells?
a) Nucleus
b) Cell wall
c) Cell membrane
d) Centriole
TEST YOURSELF

Which of the following is a characteristic feature

of plant cells but not animal cells?
a) Nucleus
b) Cell wall
c) Cell membrane
d) Centriole
TEST YOURSELF

In which type of cell would you find long

extensions called axons and dendrites?
a) Epithelial cells
b) Mast cells
c) Neurons
d) Adipocytes
TEST YOURSELF

In which type of cell would you find long

extensions called axons and dendrites?
a) Epithelial cells
b) Mast cells
c) Neurons
d) Adipocytes
TEST YOURSELF
Which type of epithelial tissue is found in areas
where absorption and secretion occur, such as
the lining of the small intestine?
a) Simple squamous epithelium
b) Stratified squamous epithelium
c) Simple columnar epithelium
d) Pseudostratified epithelium
TEST YOURSELF
Which type of epithelial tissue is found in areas
where absorption and secretion occur, such as
the lining of the small intestine?
a) Simple squamous epithelium
b) Stratified squamous epithelium
c) Simple columnar epithelium
d) Pseudostratified epithelium
TEST YOURSELF

What is the primary function of erythrocytes?

a) Contraction
b) Oxygen transportation
c) Phagocytosis
d) Hormone synthesis
TEST YOURSELF

What is the primary function of erythrocytes?

a) Contraction
b) Oxygen transportation
c) Phagocytosis
d) Hormone synthesis
TEST YOURSELF

What type of cells are responsible for the

production of antibodies in the immune system?
a) Lymphocytes
b) Macrophages
c) Eosinophils
d) Adipocytes
TEST YOURSELF

What type of cells are responsible for the

production of antibodies in the immune system?
a) Lymphocytes
b) Macrophages
c) Eosinophils
d) Adipocytes
Specialized Cells

• Nerve cells
• Muscle cells
• Blood cells
• Epithelial cells
• Bone cells
• Fat cells
• Reproductive cells
 Nerve Cells - transmit electrical and chemical signals.
• Three main parts:
• Cell body - contains the
nucleus and other organelles
• Axon – a long, thin extension
that transmits signals away
from the cell body.
• Dendrites – short branching
extensions that receive signals
from other neurons.
 Neuron
A.

B.

Which of the pointed structures is the nucleus? A or B

LABEL A.

B.

C.

D. E.
 Nerve Cells - transmit electrical and chemical signals.
• Three main types of neurons:
• Sensory neurons - receive signals from
sensory receptors in the body and
transmit them to the brain or spinal
cord.
• Motor neurons - transmit signals from
the brain or spinal cord to muscles or
glands.
• Interneurons - connect sensory and
motor neurons and are responsible for
processing and integrating information.
Nerve Cells - transmit electrical and chemical signals.
Nerve Cells - transmit electrical and chemical signals.
Nerve Cells
Label
1.

2.

3.

4.
Nerve Cells - transmit electrical and chemical signals.
KEY NOTES!
• Synapse: It is the junction between two neurons or between a neuron and a target cell
(such as a muscle cell).
• Neurotransmitters: are chemicals that are released at the synapse and transmit signals
from one neuron to another.
• Action potential: It is a rapid change in the electrical charge of a neuron that occurs
when it is stimulated. This change in charge triggers the release of neurotransmitters and
the transmission of signals to other neurons.
• Myelin is a fatty substance that surrounds and insulates the axons of some neurons. This
insulation increases the speed and efficiency of signal transmission.
Specialized Cells

• Nerve cells
• Muscle cells
• Blood cells
• Epithelial cells
• Bone cells
• Fat cells
• Reproductive cells
Muscle Cells – body movement
• Three main types of muscle cells:
• Skeletal muscle - found throughout the
body and functions to contract in
response to a stimulus.
• Cardiac muscle – found in the heart
and is responsible for generating the
force that pumps blood.
• Smooth muscle - found in the walls of
organs and blood vessels and is
responsible for involuntary movements
such as peristalsis.
Muscle Cells
Skeletal Muscle Smooth Muscle Cardiac Muscle
Walls of organs and
Location Attached to bones Heart
blood vessels
Control Voluntary Involuntary Involuntary
Nuclei Multinucleated Single nucleus One to two nucleus
Striations Yes No Yes
Sarcomeres Yes No Yes
Contraction Rapid and powerful Slow and sustained Rapid and sustained
Aerobic and anaerobic
Energy Production Aerobic respiration Aerobic respiration
respiration
Intercalated Discs No No Yes (for beating)
Hormonal and autonomic
Regulation of
Motor neuron stimulation nervous system Intrinsic pacemaker cells
Contraction
stimulation
Muscle Cells – body movement
• Three main types of muscle cells:
• Skeletal muscle - found throughout the
body and functions to contract in
response to a stimulus.
• Cardiac muscle – found in the heart
and is responsible for generating the
force that pumps blood.
• Smooth muscle - found in the walls of
organs and blood vessels and is
responsible for involuntary movements
such as peristalsis.
Skeletal muscle
Skeletal muscle
Skeletal muscle
Skeletal muscle
Skeletal muscle l.s.
Skeletal muscle l.s.
Skeletal muscle
Label:
Skeletal muscle
Skeletal muscle x.s
Skeletal muscle x.s.

A.

B. D.
C.
Skeletal muscle x.s.

A.

B.
Muscle Cells – body movement
• Three main types of muscle cells:
• Skeletal muscle - found throughout the
body and functions to contract in
response to a stimulus.
• Cardiac muscle – found in the heart
and is responsible for generating the
force that pumps blood.
• Smooth muscle - found in the walls of
organs and blood vessels and is
responsible for involuntary movements
such as peristalsis.
Cardiac muscle l.s.

A.

B. C.
Cardiac muscle x.s.

A.
Muscle Cells – body movement
• Three main types of muscle cells:
• Skeletal muscle - found throughout the
body and functions to contract in
response to a stimulus.
• Cardiac muscle – found in the heart
and is responsible for generating the
force that pumps blood.
• Smooth muscle - found in the walls of
organs and blood vessels and is
responsible for involuntary movements
such as peristalsis.
Smooth muscle l.s.

A.
Smooth muscle l.s & x.s.

A.

B.
Muscle Cells
Skeletal Muscle Smooth Muscle Cardiac Muscle
Walls of organs and
Location Attached to bones Heart
blood vessels
Control Voluntary Involuntary Involuntary
Nuclei Multinucleated Single nucleus One to two nucleus
Striations Yes No Yes
Sarcomeres Yes No Yes
Contraction Rapid and powerful Slow and sustained Rapid and sustained
Aerobic and anaerobic
Energy Production Aerobic respiration Aerobic respiration
respiration
Intercalated Discs No No Yes (for beating)
Hormonal and autonomic
Regulation of
Motor neuron stimulation nervous system Intrinsic pacemaker cells
Contraction
stimulation
Muscle Cells – body movement
Key Notes!
• Sarcomere: A sarcomere is the basic unit of muscle contraction. It is composed of
overlapping actin and myosin filaments that slide past each other to generate force.
• Neuromuscular junction: The neuromuscular junction is the point where a motor neuron
meets a muscle cell.
• Neurotransmitters released by the motor neuron stimulate the muscle cell to contract.
• Energy production: Muscle cells require a large amount of energy to contract. They
generate ATP through a variety of metabolic pathways, including aerobic respiration,
anaerobic respiration, and creatine phosphate metabolism.
Specialized Cells

• Nerve cells
• Muscle cells
• Blood cells
• Epithelial cells
• Bone cells
• Fat cells
• Reproductive cells
Blood cells – variety of functions
• Red Blood Cells: Red blood cells are the most abundant type of blood cell and are
responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. They are disk-
shaped cells that lack a nucleus and contain the protein hemoglobin, which binds to
oxygen and carries it through the bloodstream.
• White Blood Cells: White blood cells are cells of the immune system and are
responsible for defending the body against infections and foreign substances. There are
several different types of white blood cells, including monocytes, lymphocytes,
neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. Each type of white blood cell has a specific
function, such as engulfing and destroying bacteria, producing antibodies, or regulating
immune responses.
• Platelets: Platelets are small, disk-shaped cells that are responsible for blood clotting.
When a blood vessel is damaged, platelets clump together to form a plug that helps to
stop bleeding. They also release chemicals that promote the formation of a blood clot.
Hematocrit
Hematocrit
BLOOD
Peripheral Blood Smear
 Peripheral Blood Smear

A.
D.

C.
B.
Blood cells – variety of functions
KEY NOTES!!!
• Hematopoiesis: All blood cells are produced through a process called hematopoiesis,
which occurs in the bone marrow. Stem cells in the bone marrow give rise to all of the
different types of blood cells.
• Lifespan: The lifespan of blood cells varies depending on the type of cell. Red blood
cells typically live for about 120 days, while white blood cells and platelets have shorter
lifespans.
• Disorders: There are many different disorders that can affect blood cells, including
anemia (a condition in which there are not enough red blood cells), leukemia (a cancer
of the blood-forming cells), and thrombocytopenia (a condition in which there are not
enough platelets).
Specialized Cells

• Nerve cells
• Muscle cells
• Blood cells
• Epithelial cells
• Bone cells
• Fat cells
• Reproductive cells
 Epithelial cells – Protect, Secrete, and Absorb
• Epithelial cells are tightly
packed and form a continuous
sheet-like layer. They have a
variety of shapes and sizes,
depending on their location and
function.
 Epithelial cells – Protect, Secrete, and Absorb
• Epithelial cells can be classified into different types based on
their shape and the number of layers they form.
• Based on Shape:
• Squamous: Flat
• Cuboidal: Cube-shaped
• Columnar: Tall and narrow
• Based on Number of Layers:
• Simple Epithelium: single layer of cells
• Stratified: Multiple layer of cells
• Pseudostratified: appears to be stratified but all cells
are attached to basement membrane
Squamous epithelium
Cuboidal epithelium
Columnar epithelium
Simple
squamous
epithelium

• Endothelium
• Mesothelium
• Alveoli
• Glomeruli
Simple
cuboidal
epithelium

• Kidney tubules
• Salivary glands
• Thyroid
Simple
columnar
epithelium

• Stomach
• Intestine
Stratified
squamous
keratinized
epithelium

• Lips
• Skin
Stratified
squamous non-
keratinized
epithelium

• Lips
• Vagina
• Oral cavity
• Esophagus
Stratified cuboidal
epithelium

• Excretory ducts
• Salivary glands
Stratified
columnar
epithelium

• Interlobar ducts
• Conjunctiva
• Pharynx
• Male urethra
Identify
Pseudostratified
epithelium

• Respiratory tract
• Vas deferens
• Prostate gland
Identify
Transitional
epithelium
(urothelium)

• Urinary bladder
• Ureter
Epithelial cells – Protect, Secrete, and Absorb
KEY NOTES!!!
• Functions: Epithelial cells have a variety of functions, including providing a physical
barrier against pathogens and harmful substances, regulating the exchange of
substances between different parts of the body (e.g. absorption and secretion), and
producing and secreting substances such as hormones and enzymes.
• Specializations: Different types of epithelial cells have specialized structures that
enable them to perform their specific functions. For example, cilia on the surface of
certain epithelial cells help to move substances across the surface of the cell, while
microvilli increase the surface area for absorption.
• Disorders: There are many disorders that can affect epithelial cells, including cancer
(e.g. squamous cell carcinoma), autoimmune diseases (e.g. pemphigus vulgaris), and
infections (e.g. gastric ulcer).
Specialized Cells

• Nerve cells
• Muscle cells
• Blood cells
• Epithelial cells
• Bone cells
• Fat cells
• Reproductive cells
 Bone Cells – maintaining the skeletal integrity
• Osteoblasts: are cells that are responsible for bone formation.
They secrete a type of collagen called osteoid, which forms the
framework for mineral deposition in bone tissue.
• Osteocytes: Osteocytes are mature bone cells that are embedded
within the mineralized bone matrix. They are responsible for
maintaining the integrity and strength of the bone tissue, as well as
regulating mineral metabolism and bone remodeling.
• Osteoclasts: are cells that are responsible for bone resorption,
which is the process of breaking down bone tissue. They secrete
enzymes that break down the mineralized matrix of bone tissue and
release calcium and other minerals into the bloodstream.
• Osteogenic cells: are a type of stem cell that differentiate into
osteoblasts, which are responsible for bone formation. They are
found in the bone marrow and periosteum.
Bone cells
 A.

Identify the
pointed
structure B.
Bone Cells– maintaining the skeletal integrity
KEY NOTES!!!
1. Bone lining cells: Bone lining cells are specialized cells that are found on the surface of
bone tissue. They are involved in regulating bone remodeling and mineral metabolism,
and may also play a role in bone repair and regeneration.
2.Bone remodeling: Bone tissue undergoes constant remodeling throughout life, with the
balance between bone formation and resorption being tightly regulated. This process is
important for maintaining the strength and integrity of the skeleton, as well as
regulating the balance of minerals in the body.
3.Disorders: There are many disorders that can affect bone cells, including osteoporosis
(a condition in which bones become weak and brittle), Paget's disease (a condition in
which bone tissue becomes thickened and deformed), and bone cancer (e.g.
osteosarcoma).
Specialized Cells

• Nerve cells
• Muscle cells
• Blood cells
• Epithelial cells
• Bone cells
• Fat cells
• Reproductive cells
 Fat Cells– storage of fats (adipocytes)
• Structure: Fat cells have a unique structure that allows them to
store large amounts of fat. They contain a large droplet of lipid
(fat) called a triglyceride, which is surrounded by a thin layer of
cytoplasm and a cell membrane.
• Function: The main function of fat cells is to store energy in the
form of fat. This energy can be used by the body during times of
fasting or low food intake. Fat cells also play a role in regulating
metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation.
• Types: There are two main types of fat cells:
• White Adipose Tissue (WAT): responsible for energy
storage
• Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT): involved in heat generation
and energy expenditure.
Adipocytes
Adipocytes
Fat Cells– storage of fats (adipocytes)
KEY NOTES!!!
• Regulation: The size and number of fat cells in the body is regulated by a complex
interplay of hormones, genetic factors, and environmental factors such as diet and
exercise. Excessive accumulation of fat cells can lead to obesity and an increased risk
of metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of
cancer.
• Lipolysis: Fat cells can release stored fat through a process called lipolysis, which is
triggered by hormones such as glucagon and epinephrine. This released fat can then
be used by the body for energy.
• Disorders: There are many disorders that can affect fat cells, including obesity,
lipodystrophy (a condition in which fat cells are lost or dysfunctional), and certain types
of cancer that originate in fat cells (e.g. liposarcoma).
Specialized Cells

• Nerve cells
• Muscle cells
• Blood cells
• Epithelial cells
• Bone cells
• Fat cells
• Reproductive cells
Sex Cells – sexual
reproduction
• Sex cells are also
called reproductive cells or gametes.
Sperm cells are produced in men's
testicles and egg cells are produced
in women's ovaries.
• The main function of reproductive
cells is to facilitate sexual
reproduction.
• During sexual intercourse, sperm are
ejaculated into the female
reproductive tract, where they may
fertilize an egg if one is present. If
fertilization occurs, the resulting
zygote will develop into an embryo
and eventually a fetus.
 Sex Cells – sexual reproduction
• Structure: Sperm are small, motile cells
that are produced in the testes of males.
• They consist of three main parts:
• Head: which contains the genetic
material.
• Midpiece: which contains the energy-
producing mitochondria.
• Tail: which propels the sperm forward.
Sperm cells (spermatozoon)
 Sex Cells – sexual reproduction
• Ova or eggs are larger cells that are
produced in the ovaries of females.
They consist of a single cell:
• Nucleus: containing the genetic
material.
• Zona pellucida: a thick transparent
membrane
• Corona radiata: outer layer of
follicular cells surrounded by a layer
of protective cells
Egg cells (Ovum)
 Sex Cells – sexual reproduction
KEY NOTES!!!
• Meiosis: Reproductive cells are formed through a process called meiosis, which involves the
division of a diploid cell (containing two sets of chromosomes) into four haploid cells
(containing one set of chromosomes each). This process ensures that the resulting sperm and
eggs have half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell, which is necessary for sexual
reproduction.
• Regulation: The production and release of reproductive cells is regulated by hormones such
as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which are produced by the
pituitary gland in the brain. These hormones stimulate the testes in males and the ovaries in
females to produce and release reproductive cells.
• Disorders: There are many disorders that can affect reproductive cells, including infertility
(the inability to conceive a child), genetic disorders (such as Down syndrome, which is caused
by an extra copy of chromosome 21), and cancer (such as testicular or ovarian cancer).
Specialized Cells (Summarize)