Eukaryotic Cells and Organelles

Study Notes

Eukaryotic cells are complex cells found in higher plants and animals.
They form multicellular bodies and are also characteristic of protozoa like amoeba and malaria parasites.
Eukaryotic cells consist of a nucleus and cytoplasm, surrounded by a plasma membrane.
The nucleus is enclosed by a nuclear envelope and contains chromosomes and the nucleolus.
The cytoplasm contains membrane-bound and non-membrane-bound organelles, and cytoplasmic inclusions.

To understand human body morphology, knowledge of cells, tissues, organs, and systems is necessary.
Studying the microscopic (histological) structure of cells is essential.
The macroscopic appearance (gross) of organs and systems, their location, and relations, must also be understood.

Cytology is the study of individual cells.
It involves recognizing different cell types and understanding their organization and structure in relation to their functions.

Histology studies the morphological features of cells and their arrangements in tissues and organs.
In histology, the tissue or organ part to be studied is referred to as a specimen.
Specimens used in histology often come from animals with similarities to human tissue.

The cell is the smallest living unit of the human body.
Cells combine to form tissues, tissues to form organs, and organs to form systems.
The cell is made up of three main compartments: nucleus, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane.

Mammalian cells vary in size, shape, and function.
Different cells have various shapes and sizes within the body.
Studying cells is essential to understand their functional differences in tissues and organs.

There are two main types of cells: prokaryotic and eukaryotic.
Prokaryotic cells are primitive, unicellular, generally small, and lack a nucleus. Their hereditary material is free in the cytoplasm.

Neurons: Initiate and conduct nerve impulses.
Muscle cells: Responsible for contraction and peristalsis, enabling movement.
Glandular cells: Secrete hormones, enzymes, and growth factors.
White blood cells: Recognize and eliminate pathogens.
Oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells: Myelinate nerve axons.
Osteoblasts: Form bone tissue.
Osteoclasts: Destroy bone tissue.
Adipocytes: Store fat.
Fibroblasts: Facilitate wound healing and tissue repair.
Monocyte, Lymphocyte, Neutrophil, Eosinophil, Basophil, Macrophage, Erythrocyte, Platelets: Different types of blood cells with specific functions.