Human red blood cells Simple squamous epitheliumm Diameter Diameter Teased smoot

Question

Human red blood cells Simple squamous epitheliumm Diameter Diameter Teased smooth muscle cells Sperm cells Length Length Which cells have visible projections? and position of the nucleus in each case. When you look at the human blood smear, direct your attention to the red blood cells, the pink-stained cells that are most numerous. The color photomicrographs illustrating a blood smear 29.3 in Exercise 29) and sperm (Figure 43.3 in How do these projections relate to the function of these cells? Exercise 43) may be helpful in this cell structure study Sketch your observations in the circles provided above. 3. Measure the length or diameter of each cell, and record below the appropriate sketch. 4. How do these four cell types differ in shape and size? Do any of these cells lack a plasma membrane? A nucleus? In the cells with a nucleus, can you discern nucleoli? Were you able to observe any of the organelles in these Why or why not? How might cell shape affect cell function? cells?

Explanation / Answer

Length / Diameter of the cells:
1. Squamous Epithelium cells - upto 60 microns diameter
2. Sperm Cells - 50 to 55 microns in length when head and cilium both are considered.
3. Human RBC - 6 to 8.2 microns in diameter
4. Teased Smooth Muscle cell - 20 to 500 microns in length

Shape of the cells:
Simple squamous epithelial cells are relatively flat, large, thin and irregularly shaped, with flattened and oblong nuclei.
Sperm cells are smaller cells and seen with long flagella.
RBC's appear round and are small cells.
Smooth muscle cells are relatively larger, long and spindle shaped.

Cell shape is directly related to its function/s.
Simple Squamous Epithelial cells form a delicate lining, generally found in cappilaries, alveoli, glomeruli and outer skin layers wherever rapid diffusion is required. They are seen fitting tightly together.
Sperm cells’ streamlined shape of the head and flagella at the tail end make them efficient in locomotion.
The RBCs are tiny enough in size to fit through capillaries, and being biconcave in shape makes them flexible. This shape also increases the surface area to maximize the effective intake of oxygen molecules.
Smooth muscle cells are capable of contraction and relaxation due to the presence of contracticle proteins namely, actin and myosin.

Projections on cells:
The sperm cell has a visible projection called flagella, which is necessary for its locomotion to help it to travel through the female reproductive system in order to reach the ovum for fertilization.

None of these cells lack a plasma membrane.

Mature RBCs have no nucleus, Enucleate.
.
Nucleoli will probably be clearly visible in the epithelial cells, and possibly barely visible in the nuclei of sperm cells and smooth muscle cells.

Identifiable organelles (except Nucleus, Mitochondria and Golgi apparatus) are not visible in most of these cells. This is because their size is close to the limit of resolution of the light microscope.

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