Types of Cells in the Human Body

Types of Cells in the Human Body

By Darcy Williams

Poll

How would you rate your knowledge of cells?

• I know a lot about cells

• I know some about cells

• I know a little about cells

• I don't know anything about cells

Multiple Choice

How many cells are in the human body (according to the video)?

• 50 Trillion

• 100 million

• 500 trillion

• 50 billion

Multiple Choice

Making proteins and producing energy is the most common things that cells do.

• True

• False

Bone Cells

​Medical Term: Osteocytes

Function: Support and Protection​

​Our skeleton contains billions of bone cells called osteocytes and they make up 90% of the cells in your skeleton. These living cells are buried in a matrix. They form bone and provide support and protection.

The medical word part osteo means bone.​

Multiple Choice

What is the medical term for bone cells?

• leukocytes

• osteocytes

• myocytes

• lipocytes

Multiple Choice

Osteocytes form bone which supports the body and protects vital organs.

• True

• False

Nerve Cells

Medical Term: Neuron

Function: Communication and Signaling​

Nerve cells are found in your brain, spinal cord, and nerves. They communicate through electric signals with each other and with other cells. These cells allow you to think, see, be aware of your surroundings, and send commands to your muscles to move.

The medical word part neuro means nerve.​

Multiple Choice

What is the job of nerve cells?

• Movement

• Making proteins

• Signaling and communication

• Protection and support

Skin Cells

Medical Term: Epithelial Cells

Function: Formation of membranes and protection​

These cells form membranes for protection in layers. There are many different types of skin cells but they are all made of a tough protein called keratin that is also found in your hair and nails. Skin cells grow outward and in layers. Your skin has 7 different layers.

Epi means over and thelium means layer.​

Multiple Choice

How many different layers does your skin have?

• 5

• 3

• 7

• 9

Multiple Choice

What is the name of the protein found in skin cells?

• Keratin

• Platelets

• Melanin

• Melatonin

Muscle Cells

Medical Term: Myocyte

Function: Movement​

These are the only cells that contract and expand to create movement. All movement in your body is because of muscles. There are 3 types: Cardiac, Skeletal, and Smooth. Skeletal is the muscles you control that are attached to your skeleton. Cardiac is found only in your heart. Smooth muscle moves food through your digestive system. The medical word part myo means muscle.

Multiple Choice

Which type of muscle cell is only found in your heart?

• Skeletal

• Smooth

• Cardiac

Multiple Choice

Which type of muscle cells moves food through your digestive system?

• Skeletal

• Smooth

• Cardiac

Fat Cells

Medical Term: Lipocyte/Adipocyte

Function: Storage of fat (lipids) for energy​

The main job of your fat cells is to store fats (lipids) which is stored energy in your body. Fat cells insulate your organs, store important vitamins, keep you from freezing, and make membranes that surround and protect cells. The medical word part lipo and adipo means fat.

Multiple Choice

Which is not a function of fat cells?

• Store energy

• Keep you from freezing

• Insulate organs and form cell membranes

• Supports your body

Red Blood Cell

Medical Term: Erythrocyte

Function: Transportation of Oxygen ​

These cells are found in your blood. They are round and flat and give blood it's red color. Their primary job is to carry oxygen from your lungs to all your body cells. Red blood cells are formed in your bone marrow.​

Remember from Bill Nye: 4 million red blood cells fit inside a small letter o

Multiple Choice

What is the primary function of red blood cells?

• To carry oxygen to all your body cells

• To provide energy that cells need to make proteins

• To fight bacteria and viruses

Multiple Choice

Where do red blood cells get oxygen to carry to your body cells?

• Heart

• Lungs

• Liver

• Your Mom

White Blood Cells

Medical Term: Leukocytes

Function: Aid in fighting infection​

White blood cells are also found in your blood and made in your bone marrow. These cells fight and attack viruses and bacteria to prevent infection. There are 4 x as many red blood cells in your blood than white blood cells.

Leuko means white

Multiple Choice

What is the primary job of white blood cells?

• Carry oxygen to your body cells

• Fight infection by attacking bacteria and viruses

• Form clots in your blood to prevent bleeding

• Provide energy your body needs to grow

Multiple Choice

There are more white blood cells in your blood than red blood cells

• True

• False

Sperm Cell

Medical Term: Spermatocyte

Function: Male gametocyte; aids in reproduction​

The sperm cell is the male sex cell and is only found in males. It's main function is to create new life when joined with an egg cell inside a female.

Multiple Choice

Sperm cells are only found in males.

• True

• False

Egg Cells

Medical Term: Oocyte

Function: Female sex cell;

aids in reproduction​

The egg cell is the female sex cell and is only found in females. It's main function is to create new life when joined by a sperm cell from a male.

Multiple Choice

New life is created when a sperm cell joins with which type of cell?

• Oocyte

• Myocyte

• Leukocyte

• Osteocyte

Stem Cells

Medical Term: None

Function: ​Differentiate into many different types of cells

Stem cells are unspecialized cells that have the ability to become many or any different type of cell. Embryonic stem cells can develop into any type of cell. Adult stem cells can only develop into some types of cells and come from bone marrow. Stem cells can be used to treat diseases, repair damaged tissues, repair damaged immune systems, reverse paralysis, and even regrow lost limbs.

Multiple Choice

How many different types of specialized cells are found in your body?

• 200

• 20

• 100

• 2,000