The document discusses the structure and components of animal cells. It begins by explaining that animal cells are eukaryotic, containing a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles. It then describes the main organelles - cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and vacuole - and their functions in supporting the cell. Finally, it outlines several types of specialized animal cells, including fat, blood, skin, nerve, and muscle cells, and their roles in tissues and the body.

1. Types and Structure of Animal Cell
Austin February 22, 2022 no Comments
The cell is not only the smallest unit supporting the life of living beings; it
is also the most vital one. This life-providing unit contains many small
components that work together to make the cell function properly. Cells
are either prokaryotic or eukaryotic. As it has a defined nucleus body and
a cell membrane surrounding all the cell components, the animal cell is
considered eukaryotic.
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Eukaryotic cell
A eukaryotic cell is known to have organelles that are membrane -bound.
These mainly include the nucleus enclosed in a nuclear membrane, and a
plasma membrane that encloses all of the organelles in the eukaryotic cell.

2. Animals, plants, and human beings come under the category of organisms
having DNA held within the eukaryotic cells in their body.
Here we have discussed the different functions of the component s of
animal cells. An animal cell is a eukaryotic cell with a membrane -bound
nucleus, but unlike the plant cell, it doesn’t have a cell wall surrounding
the organelles.
Components of the animal cell
These are some of the main components of an animal cell that work
together for the cell’s normal functioning.
Cell membrane
The cell membrane is also known as the plasma membrane. This membrane
encloses and protects all the organelles present inside the cell by
controlling what goes in and out.

3. The cell membrane is mainly composed of fats and proteins. The protein
layer is embedded between the two layers of phospholipids. The protein
layer between the bilayer ensures that no unwanted substances go in and
out of the cell.
Lipid bilayer
The lipid bilayer means the membrane has two layers of phospholipids. The
inside of the lipid layers consists of hydrophobic phospholipids, whereas
the outside layer consists of hydrophilic phospholipids.
The hydrophobic phospholipids limit the access of water -soluble molecules,
and hydrophilic phospholipids allow the water -soluble contents to pass
through. In this way, hydrophobic phospholipids become impermeable for
the water-soluble compounds, and the hydrophilic phospholipids become
permeable for water-soluble compounds.
These are some of the special functions of the cell membrane:
• Regulates the substances that come in and go out of the cell.
• Let the cell communicate with other cells in the body.
• Protect the cell from invading organisms and materials.
• Provides support to the cell structure by offering a firm outer layer.
• It makes cell respiration easy by the movement of carbon dioxide
and oxygen.

4. Nucleus
The nucleus is one of the main components in the animal cell as it contains
genetic and hereditary material. The nucleus is responsible for the cell’s
normal functioning as it regulates several activities associated with cell
growth and survival.
The nucleus has further essential units, including:
Nuclear envelope: The nuclear envelope is the membrane that s urrounds
the components of the nucleus and keeps the other cell organelles
separated from the cell nucleus.
Nucleoplasm: The nucleoplasm is the chemical protoplasm material in the
nucleus that maintains and supports the structure of the nucleus.

5. Nucleolus: It is the spherical body in the nucleus associated with the
synthesis of ribosomes that are further transported to the cell cytoplasm
to produce proteins.
Functions of the nucleus include:
• It stores genetic and hereditary material, including DNA and RNA.
• Synthesize ribosomes to facilitate the synthesis of proteins.
• It controls the working of the cell, such as growth.
Cytoplasm
The cytoplasm is the semifluid thick material embedded inside the cell that
fills the whole cell. It is mainly composed of three main components: water,
salts, and proteins. The cytoplasm separates the membrane -bound
organelles like the nucleus and mitocho ndria because of the membrane.
Other organelles rest inside the cytoplasm of the cell.

6. These are some of the main functions of the cytoplasm.
• It suspends different organelles of cell in it.
• Aids in the movement of the genetic material being made in the cel l.
• Aids in the process of cell respiration.
Mitochondria
The cell needs the energy to perform its required functions. The
mitochondria provide this energy. Mitochondria is more commonly known
as the powerhouse of the cell. It generates the chemical energy to provide
the cell with the power it needs in the form o f adenosine triphosphate
(ATP).
Like the nucleus, Mitochondria is also membrane -bound organelle
separated from the cytoplasm by the membrane. Mitochondria has four
main parts including:

7. -outer membrane
-Inner membrane
-Cristae
-Intermembrane space
These are the main functions associated with the mitochondria:
• It is involved in converting energy from the cell nutrients in the
form of ATP molecules.
• Regulates homeostasis of calcium
• It is also involved in the process of cell immunity.
Endoplasmic reticulum
The endoplasmic reticulum is a tubular networking structure in the cell that
provides the fundamental purpose of transportation and movement within

8. the cell. The animal cell has two different types of endoplasmic reticulum
(ER) that are
-Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)
-Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)
The smooth endoplasmic reticulum is involved in the synthesis of fat
molecules. It is known as the smooth endoplasmic reticulum because it
does not have any ribosome on its surface. Being granule -free, it has a
smoother surface.
On the other hand, the rough endoplasmic reticulum is involved in the
synthesis of proteins. It has granular molecules on its surface that are
known as the ribosome. Having a granular surface, it is known as the rough
endoplasmic reticulum.
These are some of the main functions of the endoplasmic reticulum:
• Synthesis and transport of proteins in the cell.
• Synthesis and transport of fat bodies in the cell.
• Molecules within the cell move through the pathway provided by the
endoplasmic reticulum.

9. Vacuole:
In an animal cell, the vacuole is not as prominent as in the plant cell. It is
a membrane-bound structure within the cell that is filled with fluid. It is
responsible for the storage of water, nutrients, and was te from the cell.
These are the main functions of the vacuole in the animal cell:
• Stores water and nutrients in the form of proteins, carbohydrates,
and fats.
• Stores waste from the cell that is to be removed from it.
Different types of animal cells
Animals are organisms with multicellular structures inside their bodies. The
group of cells in the body that work together to perform a particular task

10. is known as tissue. Based on their functions and composition, there are
several types of animal cells. A few ha ve been discussed here, including:
• Fat cells
• Blood cells
• reproductive cells
• Skin cells
• Nerve cells
• Muscle cells
Fat cells
Fat cells are also known as adipocytes or lipocytes, and collectively they
make up the adipose tissue. The main function of fat cells is to store fat to
further use it for energy processes. Fat in the adipose tissue is stored in
the form of triglycerides, which are broken down by the cell enzymes to
form fatty acids and glycerol. The components are then stored and utilized
for the energy required processes.
Fat cells are found throughout the body, but the main locations include
under the skin, around other organs like the heart, and between the
muscles.
The storage by fat cells needs to be regulated, and if more than required
fat is stored in the cells, then it can lead to o ther diseases, including

11. diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
Blood cells
Blood cells, also known as hepatocytes, can be found through the blood in
the body. The life cycle of a blood cell starts as a stem cell. It is not defined
as any particular type of blood cell at this stage. As the stem cell matures,
it is converted into a specific blood cell.
There are mainly three different types of cells found in the blood including:
-Thrombocytes (Platelets)
-Erythrocytes (red blood cells)
-leukocytes (white blood cells)
Platelets
The platelets are irregularly shaped cells in the blood that originates as
stem cell, and after maturing into the thrombocyte, they circulate in the

12. blood for a time period of nine days. During their life cycle, they mainly
provide the function of creating a blood clot where required.
Red blood cells
Red blood cells are the most abundant type of circular cell present in the
blood. The average lifespan of a re d blood cell is 120 days. Its main function
is to store hemoglobin to transport oxygen that facilitates respiration.
Hemoglobin provides the red color of the red blood cells.
White blood cells
White blood cells are of several different types and shapes pre sent in the
blood. The life span of white blood cells is only 13 to 20 days, after which
they are wasted from the body. All the different white blood cells are
responsible for providing the body with the immunity it needs to stay
healthy.

13. Reproductive cells
The reproductive cells in a body are known as gametes. The gametes in the
male tissues are known as spermatozoa or sperms, whereas the gametes in
the female tissue are known as ova or eggs.
These cells are responsible for the reproductive process in the bo dy by the
fusion of gametes and forming up a single cell that is known as a zygote.
The gametes carry genetic information in the form of the chromosome. The
chromosome from both gametes fuses to make up the resulting
chromosome of the zygote.
Skin cells
Skin provides a large barrier between the internal and external
environment to the body in the form of skin. This skin is made up of several
different types of cells, including keratinocytes, melanocytes, and
Langerhans. The main function of the skin cells is to provide the body with

14. insulation and a protective layer. The skin cells die, and the skin feels dry
and flaky because of it, but eventually, the new skin cells are made.
Nerve cells
The nerve cells are also known as the neurons. They are the main
components of the nervous system in the body of animals. They are
responsible for receiving the signals from the stimuli that are the
environment and then sending back a response to the muscl es and organs
for the responsive function.
There are three main parts of a nerve cell, including the stoma, axon, and
dendrites.
The stoma is known as the cell body, the axon, the nerve fiber that
originates from the stoma, whereas the dendrites are the br anch-like
structures that are responsible for transmitting the nerve signals.

15. Muscle cells
Muscle cells in the body are also known as myocytes. The myocytes
collectively make up the muscle tissue. There are mainly three types of
muscle cells that are found in the body, including the skeletal cells, muscle
cells, and smooth cells,
Skeletal cells: the skeletal cells in the body are specialized elongated cells
that are very flexible and provide the function of all types of movements in
the body.
Smooth cells: The smooth cells make up the smooth muscle in the body,
and it is responsible for the involuntary movement of muscles in the form
of contractions.
Cardiac cells: the cardiac cells make up the myocardium tissue responsible
for the heart’s normal functioning. These specialized cells act upon the

16. impulse response from the nervous system and create rhythmic
contractions that are more commonly known as the heartbeat.
Conclusion
The animal cell is a eukaryotic cell that contains many complex materials.
These cell components are responsible for the normal functioning of the
cell so that it would be able to provide the specific function expected of it.
Based on the specialized functions of an animal cell, there are several
different types of cells, as discussed above. These cells m ake up the tissues,
which then make up an organ.
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