Cellular Types and

Histology
Prepared by: NASRIFAH D. ABDULAZIS
Cells of higher animals
 Somatic cells (body cells)- diverse
in the body of an organism; ex.
neurons, epithelial cells, liver cells,
and much more.

 Germinal cells (sex cells)- essential

for reproduction. Sperm and egg
cell represents germinal cells.
Summary of difference between somatic and germ cells

Characteristic GERM CELL SOMATIC CELL

Genetic Material Haploid( one copy Commonly diploid

of genetic material) (two sets of genetic
material)
Mode of Meiosis Mitosis
Reproduction

Localization Testis and ovary Found anywhere in

the body

Function Reproduction Systemic physiology

Diversity of
Human cells
Ovum- structurally, the
ovum is 120 m in
diameter. The zona
pellucida surrounds the
ovum. It contains the
haploid genetic material of
the organism.

Sperm- structurally, the

sperm has a head (5 m)
with compact DNA, body (5
m) equipped with
mitochondrion, and tail (50
m). The frontal head
contains an enzyme that
allows the cell to penetrate
the zona pellucida. About
100 million sperm count is
in the semen.
Neuron- structurally, the Melanocytes- are epithelial
neuron can be 4-150 m cells that contain long
with multiple dendrites and branches that lie in
a single axon. Around keratinocytes. Its function
100,000 networks of is to pass the pigment to
neurons may connect with the melanosome.
one neuron. Spine cell has
an axon that is usually 1m
long.
Keratinocyte- structurally, Muscle fiber cell-
keratinocyte are scale-like structurally, 10-100 m in
structures full of keratin, diameter, multinucleated
which is devoid of a nucleus due to myoblast fusion. The
or any organelles. most interior part is 1-2 m
myofibrils with may
mitochondria.
Epithelial cells- Fibroblasts- these are
structurally, epithelial cells unspecialized cells of
are adhesive cells fused connective tissue, which
together with desmosomes can commit to becoming a
between cells. Some cartilage, bone, fat, and
epithelial cells act for smooth muscle cells.
absorption secretion and
ion transport. They vary in
size according to location.
Hepatocytes- these are Erythrocytes- these are
liver cells that are structurally flat, biconcave
structurally polyhedral, 20- discs, about 7.2 m in
30 m in diameter, and diameter. It does not
sometimes multinucleated. contain mitochondria,
They are rich in nucleus, and ribosomes.
mitochondria, ER, and They have a lifespan of 120
contain lipid droplets days. There are normally 5
million cells per blood
sample, and they transport
oxygen.
Lymphocytes- structurally, Megakaryocyte-
lymphocytes are 6-8 m in structurally, megakaryocyte
diameter with a minute is 35-150 m in diameter,
cytoplasm. Normally, there which has a lobulated
are 5,000 cells per L pf nucleus containing 8 to 32
blood. They function for genomes formed by
immune system. endomitosis. They serve as
the origin of platelets.
Platelets- structurally are
about 3-5 m of highly
structured cytoplasm with a
lifespan of 8 days.
Normally, 200,000 cells are
in L of blood.
Animal Tissues
Tissues result from the differentiation of
several groups of cells that will form a group
of cells having the same function.
Histology- the study of different tissues.
Different tissues arise from a particular germ
layer during embryonic development.

In animals, the tissues are either epithelial,

connective,muscular, or nervous tissue.
 Epithelial Tissue
 This type of tissue is commonly seen outside the body as
coverings or as linings of organs and cavities. Epithelial
tissues are characterized by closely-joined cells with tight
junctions. Being tightly packed, tight junctions serve as
barriers for pathogens, mechanical injuries, and fluid loss.
Cells that make up epithelial tissues can
have distinct arrangements:
 • cuboidal—for secretion
 • simple columnar—brick-
shaped cells; for secretion and
active absorption
 • simple squamous—plate-like
cells; for exchange of material
through diffusion
 • stratified squamous—
multilayered and regenerates
quickly; for protection
 • pseudo-stratified columnar—
single layer of cells; may just
look stacked because of varying
height; for lining of respiratory
tract; usually lined with cilia
(i.e., a type of cell modification
that sweeps the mucus).
Connective Tissues
Groups of tissue that
structurally differ
according to their
localization. They can be
fibrous, elastic,
reticular, or collagenous.
They are important for
support, protection,
transport, insulation, and
repair. They are also
responsible for blood cell
differentiation or
formation and
immunological responses.
Connective Tissue composed of the following:

 BLOOD —made up of plasma (i.e., liquid

extracellular matrix); contains water, salts,
and dissolved proteins; erythrocytes that
carry oxygen (RBC), leukocytes for defense
(WBC), and platelets for blood clotting.

 CONNECTIVE TISSUE PROPER (CTP)—made up

of loose connective tissue that is found in the
skin and fibrous connective tissue that is
made up of collagenous fibers found in
tendons and ligaments. Adipose tissues are
also examples of loose connective tissues that
store fats which functions to insulate the
body and store energy.
 CARTILAGE —characterized by collagenous
fibers embedded in chondroitin sulfate.
Chondrocytes are the cells that secrete
collagen and chondroitin sulfate. Cartilage
functions as cushion between bones.

 BONE —mineralized connective tissue made

by bone-forming cells called osteoblasts
which deposit collagen. The matrix of
collagen is combined with calcium,
magnesium, and phosphate ions to make
the bone hard. Blood vessels and nerves
are found at a central canal surrounded by
concentric circles of osteons.
Muscle Tissue
These tissues are composed of long
cells called muscle fibers that allow
the body to move voluntary or
involuntary. Movement of muscles
is a response to signals coming from
nerve cells. In vertebrates, these
muscles can be categorized into the
following:
• skeletal—striated; voluntary
movements
• cardiac—striated with
intercalated disk for synchronized
heart contraction; involuntary
• smooth—not striated; involuntary
Nervous Tissue
These tissues are composed of nerve cells called neurons and glial
cells that function as support cells. These neurons sense stimuli
and transmit electrical signals throughout the animal body.
Neurons connect to other neurons to send signals. The dendrite is
the part of the neuron that receives impulses from other neurons
while the axon is the part where the impulse is transmitted to
other neurons.
Plant Tissues
Meristematic Tissues
Groups of undifferentiated tissues
found in growing areas of the plants such
as root tip and leaf bud. The cells of this
tissue are actively dividing and give rise to
the organs or other important plant parts.
Different meristems for specific
plant parts:
A. Apical meristems- which are
located on root tips and shoot tips,
is responsible for the formation and
primary growth of various cells and
tissues.
B. Lateral meristem- responsible for
the horizontal expansion of tissues
particularly the cork cambium and
vascular meristem.
C. Intercalary meristems-
responsible for regenerating
removed parts of the plant. It
occurs between the old tissue
regions of the node and leaf
attachment.
Epidermal Tissues
Single layered that
surround the plant body. Its
function is to separate the
internal system from the
environment, absorption of
molecules, minerals
nutrients, and protection
against pathogens.
Vascular Tissues
Phloem and
Xylem are the main
tissues responsible
for the systemic
transport of mineral
water and important
molecules in plants,
are composed of
vascular tissues.
 Ground Tissues
Group of cells made of parenchyma, sclerenchyma,
or collenchyma cells. Their function, in general,
is to harden and give structural rigidity to the
plant.
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