Animal cell: types, parts and functions that characterize them.

Let's see what are the characteristics, parts, types and functions of these microscopic bodies.

The animal cell is the minimum unit of functionality that makes up the living beings belonging to the category of animals, the kingdom Animalia.

Specifically, it is a type of eukaryotic cell that, combining with each other and sometimes collaborating with other forms of life (for example, bacteria that make up the intestinal flora) form functional tissues and organs, which allow the existence and survival of an animal.

In this article we will see what are the characteristics of the animal cell, as well as its main functions and special features.as well as their main functions and specializations in forming the organism in which they live.

Characteristics of this biological unit

All animal cells belong to the taxon of eukaryotic cells. These are characterized by containing all their genetic material in a structure known as the cell nucleus, and also contain different organelles separated from the rest by a membrane that covers them, unlike prokaryotic cells, which are smaller and do not present the above characteristics (for example, their DNA is dispersed throughout the cytoplasm that fills their interior).

In addition, the animal cell is distinguished from other eukaryotes by the fact that it organizes itself with other cells to form multicellular organisms that belong to the animal kingdom.

In turn, animals are living beings of both microscopic and macroscopic size, characterized among other things by characterized, among other things, by their ability to move and by the presence of nerve cells, among other things. The kingdom Animalia is one of the 5 kingdoms that we find in the group of eukaryotes.

Parts of the animal cell

These are the main parts and structures that make up animal cells.

1. Nucleus

The nucleus is possibly the most important part of the animal cell, because it not only contains an "instruction manual" on which molecules to synthesize in order to build and regenerate certain parts of the cell, but it is also a strategic plan for the functioning and maintenance of the organism of which the cell is a part.

In other words, the nucleus contains all the information about what should be done inside the cell and also outside it. This is so because inside this structure, which consists of a membrane that covers it, the genetic material is protected, the genetic material is protected, i.e. the DNA contained in the form of a helix and folded to form different chromosomes..

In this way, the nucleus acts as a filter of what enters and leaves the area where the DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid is stored, so that it is not dispersed and lost, and trying to minimize that certain molecules come into contact with the chromosomes and destabilize or alter the genetic information contained in them.

Of course, as we will see, in animal cells there is still another cellular structure that contains there is still another cellular structure that contains genetic material and that is not inside the nucleus..

Cell membrane

The cell membrane is the outermost layer of the cell, so that it covers almost the entire cell and protects all its parts equally. It is formed by a set of lipids in which are interspersed / or embedded in these layers) some proteins with specialized functions.

However, the cell membrane of animal cells, like those of any other eukaryotic living being, are not totally impermeable, but have certain entry and exit points (in the form of pores) that allow the exchange of substances with the outside.

This increases the risk of harmful elements entering inside, but at the same time is necessary to maintain homeostasis. is necessary to maintain homeostasis, the physical-chemical balance between the cell and its environment..

3. Cytoplasm

The cytoplasm is the substance that fills the space between the nucleus and the cell membrane.. That is, it is the substance that acts as a physical support for all the internal components of the cell. Among other things, it helps to ensure that substances are always available inside the cell that are necessary for the animal cell to develop, regenerate or communicate with other cells.

4. Cytoskeleton

The cytoskeleton is an assembly of more or less rigid filaments which have the purpose of shaping the cell and keeping its parts more or less always in the same place.

In addition, they allow certain molecules to travel through their internal channels, allow certain molecules to travel through their internal channels, like tubes (in fact, some components of the cytoskeleton are called "microtubules").They also allow certain molecules to travel through their internal channels, like tubes (in fact, some components of the cytoskeleton are called "microtubules").

5. Mitochondria

Mitochondria are one of the most interesting parts of the animal cell, because they contain their own DNA, distinct from that of the nucleus. It is believed that this structure is actually the remnant of a union between a cell and a bacterium (the mitochondrion being the mitochondrion). (the mitochondrion being the bacterium inserted into the cell, fused in a symbiotic relationship).

When reproduction takes place, copies of the mitochondrial DNA are also made to be passed on to offspring.

The main function of mitochondria is the production of ATP.The mitochondria, a molecule from which animal cells extract energy, so mitochondria are very important for metabolic processes.

6. Golgi apparatus

The Golgi apparatus is mainly in charge of creating molecules from raw material that comes to it from other parts of the animal cell.. Thus, it is involved in very diverse processes, all of which have to do with the repair and production of new materials.

7. Endoplasmic reticulum

Like the Golgi apparatus, the endoplasmic reticulum is also characterized by synthesizing materials, but in this case it does so on a smaller scale. In particular, the endoplasmic reticulum is particularly involved in the creation of lipids with which to maintain the cell membrane..

8. Lysosomes

Lysosomes are involved in the degradation of cellular components in order to recycle their parts and put them to better use. They are microscopic bodies that release enzymes with the capacity to "dissolve". elements of the animal cell.

Types and functions

We can establish a classification of animal cells according to their functions and the type of biological tissues and organs they usually constitute when grouped together. when grouped together. Let's see what these basic categories are. Of course, not all of them are present in all forms of animal life.

Epithelial cells

This type of animal cell forms surface and support structures for the rest of the tissues. They form the skin, glands and certain specialized tissues that cover parts of organs.

2. Conjunctival cells

These cells aim to to create an interconnected structure that, beyond the skin, holds all internal parts in place.. For example, bone cells, which are included in this category, form the bones, rigid structures that hold the rest of the elements in place.

3. Blood cells

This type of animal cell allows all the nutrients, vitamins and molecules necessary for life to travel through the circulatory system, on the one hand, and to prevent harmful external agents from spreading through the organism, on the other. Thus, their activity is linked to movement.

This category includes red blood cells and white blood cells, or erythrocytes and leukocytes.or erythrocytes and leukocytes, respectively.

4. Nerve cells

This is one of the most characteristic cell types of animal activity, since these living beings are characterized by their ability to move and to process many types of information corresponding to this constant change of environment.

It is a category that includes neurons and glial cells, thanks to which nerve impulses travel through the organism.

5. Muscle cells

Muscle cells forman fibras con la capacidad de contraerse y relajarse dependiendo de las órdenes que lleguen a través del sistema nervioso.

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