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Types of Cell Modifications Explained

Cell modifications are specialized structures or modifications acquired by cells after cell division that provide benefits. There are three types: apical on the cell surface facing outward, basal on the bottom surface, and lateral on side surfaces. Apical modifications include flagella, cilia, microvilli, and pseudopodia which help with movement, sensing, increasing surface area, and engulfing particles. Basal modifications like hemidesmosomes aid in cell adhesion. Cell junctions like tight junctions prevent leakage, adhering junctions fasten cells to membranes, and gap junctions allow molecule/ion passage between cells.

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61 views2 pages

Types of Cell Modifications Explained

Cell modifications are specialized structures or modifications acquired by cells after cell division that provide benefits. There are three types: apical on the cell surface facing outward, basal on the bottom surface, and lateral on side surfaces. Apical modifications include flagella, cilia, microvilli, and pseudopodia which help with movement, sensing, increasing surface area, and engulfing particles. Basal modifications like hemidesmosomes aid in cell adhesion. Cell junctions like tight junctions prevent leakage, adhering junctions fasten cells to membranes, and gap junctions allow molecule/ion passage between cells.

Uploaded by

Jasmine Florece
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Cell Modifications- Are specialized or modifications

re-acquired by the cell after cell division that helps the cell in different
beneficial ways.

3 Types of Cell Modification


1. Apical - found on the apical (apex or upper) surface of the cell.
2. Basal - on the basal (bottom) surface of the cell.
3. Lateral - on the surface on the sides of the cell.

Examples of Apical Cell Modifiacation


1. Flagella - a whiplike structure that extends from the cell
body. Connected to the cytoplasm and is contained in
the cell�s plasma membrane.
Function � pushes the cell to a particular direction
in a propelling motion.
Cells with Flagella - Several bacterial cells,
sperm.
2. Cilia - Hairlike protrusions that cover most parts of the cell.
Can either be motile or non-motile
Motile cilia are mostly found in the cell�s surface and move
the cell in a vibratory manner
Non-motile cilia are called primary cilia. Primary functions
include acting as sensors of extracellular molecules
amongst others.
Cells with Motile Cilia - cells found in lungs, respiratory tract
and middle ear.
Cells with Non-motile Cilia - neurons, photoreceptor cells in retina
3. Microvilli - tiny finger like structures that protrude from the cell
membrane. Covered by a single layer of epithelial cells and is supplied
with blood by the capillaries.
Function - assimilation, adhesion and aids in the secretion of
substances.
Capable of increasing the surface area of the cell because
of the minute folds in it.
Cells with Microvilli � cells in small intestine, egg
cells, leukocytes (white blood cells)

4. Pseudopodia
Temporary extensions of the cytoplasm.
From the words pseudo (false), and podia (feet) = false feet
Powered by a microfilament near the cellular membrane that
directs them to their target food or foreign body, and in
amoeba-like movement, they will approach and engulf the
target.

Cells with Pseudopodia � white blood corpuscles, amoeba cells

Example of Basal Cell Modification:


Hemidesmosomes - help stick the cells to the underlying basal lamina.
function � adhesion,
cells with desmosomes � muscular cells /cells that undergo intense mechanical
stress

Types of Junctions
Tight Junction - Act as barriers that to keep liquid from escaping between cells
between epithelial layers
- Prevent leakage of ECF
Adhering Junction - Anchoring junction on the lateral surface of the cell
- Fasten cells to one another basement membrane
For example: they hold cardiac muscle cells tightly together as the heart expands
and contracts.
Gap Junction (communicating junction) - connects the cytoplasm of two cells. It
allows various molecules and ions
to pass freely between cells.

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