The human body consists of trillions of cells, and it is the smallest unit in life that can reproduce, and cells are the basic unit of life on Earth, which in turn build the tissues that make up the organs, and the organs work together to keep the organism alive. In this article, we will talk about what is the structure of the cell, and what are the different types of cells?

cell structure

Before getting to know the different cell types, Let’s get to know what are the main components of the cell:

• Cell Membrane.
• Cell Wall
• The Plasma membrane.
• Cytoplasm.
• Golgi apparatus.
• Endoplasmic reticulum.
• Lysosomes.
• Peroxisomes.
• Mitochondria.
• Ribosome.
• Vacuoles.
• Nuclear membrane.
• Nucleus.
• Chromosomes.

In the case of plant cells, there is an additional component of the cell, the chloroplast; to help her in the process of photosynthesis.

Types of cells in the human body

After knowing the structure of the cell, it is not surprising that there are hundreds of different types of cells, and we will talk in this paragraph about Different human cell types, which include:

Stem cells

Stem cells are one of the types of cells that have not yet chosen what they will become, some of them differentiate to become a specific type of cell, such as neurons. Others divide to produce more stem cells.

Stem cells are found in both the fetus and some adult tissues, such as bone marrow. Scientists discovered that the number of these cells in the bone marrow of an adult human ranges between 50,000 and 200,000 blood stem cells.

You can read our article on stem cells to learn more about the functions of this type of cell, and can it cause harm to the body?

Bone cells

Bone cells are divided into at least three basic types:

• OsteoclastsAnd this type works to dissolve the bones.
• OsteoblastsThis type works to form new bone.
• bone cells (Osteocytes), This type of bone cell is surrounded by bone and helps to communicate with other bone cells.

The number of this type of cell ranges from about 25,000 bone cells per 3 mm of bone.

Blood cells

There are three main types of blood cells:

• red blood cells (RBC)which is the kind that carries oxygen to all parts of the body.
• white blood cells (WBC)It is part of the body’s immune system.
• Platelets, which helps blood to clot; To prevent blood loss after injury.
  The number of red blood cells in the body represents about 80% of the body’s cells, as it may reach about 25 trillion cells. As for the number of white blood cells, it may reach about 45 million cells, and as for the number of platelets, it may reach about 147 million platelets.

Muscle cells

Also called muscle cells, they are long tubular cells, and are one of the important cell types; Because they perform a wide range of functions, including movement, support and internal functions, such as peristalsis (the movement of food along the gut).
There are three types of muscle cells, namely:

• Skeletal muscleThis type of cell facilitates voluntary movement, in addition to being covered with connective tissue that protects and supports muscle fibers.
• Cardiac muscleIt is a type of involuntary muscle cell that helps the heart contract.
• Smooth muscleIt is a type of involuntary muscle cell such as the heart muscle, and it lines the cavities of many body organs such as the kidneys and intestines.

Scientists have estimated that the number of cardiac muscle cells is about 2 billion cardiac muscle cells.

Sex cells

Sex cells are one of the types of cells that are produced through the reproductive system in the human body for both females and males. They include:

• Sperm cellsThey represent male sex cells, and can move through their whip-like tail.
• Female egg cellThey represent female sex cells, and this type of cell is large in size, when compared to sperm cells. In addition, she is unable to move.

Fat cells

Fat cells (adipocytes) are the main component of adipose tissue. These cells contain stored fats called triglycerides that can be used as energy when needed.

Once the triglycerides are used up, the number of adipocytes decreases, and in addition, the fat cells also produce some hormones. The number of fat cells in the human body may reach about 50 billion fat cells.

Nerve cells

Neurons are the basic unit of the nervous system in the body, and they represent the communication system between the various organs of the body, and neuroscientists call them (Neurons) in English as well.

Nerve cells carry messages and transmit information on a large scale in the body. They work by transmitting nerve impulses to various parts of the body.

The length of some of these nerve axons can reach more than one meter, and the number of these cells in the brain of an adult may reach from about 86 billion to nearly 100 billion neurons.

Skin Cells

The epidermis contains different types of epidermal cells, which include:

• Keratinocyteswhich produces the protein known as keratin, which is the main component of skin.
• Melanocyteswhich produces a skin pigment known as melanin.
• Langerhans cellswhich prevents foreign substances from entering the skin.

Some studies have indicated that the number of skin cells may reach about 35 billion skin cells.

Cartilage cells

Chondrocytes are oval or spindle-shaped cells that are essential for building the body, especially cartilage (the hard tissue between the bones of the body). It plays an important role in the flexibility of the body, as it is responsible for the body’s ability to bend.