Structure of Animal Cell

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The structure of an Animal cell consists of many things like Plasma membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondria, and ribosomes, and all have their own functions. Typical eukaryotic cells are surrounded by a plasma membrane and contain organelles and nuclei bound to the membrane. Plants and fungi have cell walls, but animal cells do not. A single-celled organism, which gave rise to Animalia, lost this characteristic in the distant past. A microscope is necessary to view most animal and plant cells since their diameters typically range between 1 and 100 micrometres.

Structure of Animal cell With Diagram

If you study the Structure of an animal cell, you will notice that the cells of animals are generally smaller than those of plants.  The irregular shape of the cell is another defining characteristic. The absence of cell walls result in an irregular shape. Plants and animals have evolved from eukaryotic cells, sharing certain organelles.

Even though plant cells are eukaryotic, the difference between animal cells and plant cells can easily be identified by the presence of chloroplasts in them.

Plasma Membrane

Cellular movement is controlled and regulated by the plasma membrane. Selectively permeable materials only allow certain molecules to pass through. It can control how many substances enter and leave the cell.

Cytoplasm

Organelles or nucleus do not occupy an animal cell’s private portion. Moreover, the cytoplasm is cytosol, allowing organelles and substances to move around the cell. Proteins, organelles, and other cell structures float in the cytosol, a water-based solution found inside the cells. Its many components are proteins, mRNA, ribosomes, sugars, ions, amino acids, messenger molecules, etc.

Nucleus

A nucleus has three parts: an outer nuclear envelope, chromatin and nucleolus. Within the nucleus envelope, most of the nucleus contains chromatin that condenses down to chromosomes as a cell divides. 

Most cells have one nucleus, but slime moulds and siphonal algae are exceptions. One-celled bacteria and cyanobacteria have no nucleus and are prokaryotes. Throughout the cytoplasm, such organisms will carry out informational and administrative functions.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Eukaryotic cells possess a network of membranes. A cell’s nucleus is made up of different layers that play a role in processes like the production of protein and the metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates. The endoplasmic reticulum membrane connects the lumen to the cytoplasm. It provides a pipeline between the nucleus and cytoplasm.

Mitochondria

Among the most prominent organelles of a cell are the mitochondria. During respiration, mitochondria use oxygen and produce carbon dioxide. The number of mitochondria in the cell, typically ranging from one to ten micrometres, is directly correlated with the metabolism of that cell. Mitochondria form long travelling chains that will be packed tightly into stable groups or may appear in other diverse configurations, depending upon the cell’s requirements and the characteristics of the microtubular network.

Golgi Apparatus

A membrane surrounds the nucleus, but it is not attached directly. Furthermore, it facilitates the modification of proteins and lipids in cellular membranes and transporting cellular substances. In the endoplasmic reticulum, fats and proteins are built in bubble-like vesicles that move through the cytoplasm until they reach the Golgi complex. Golgi membranes and Vesicles fuse and release molecules from within the organelle.

Ribosomes

Ribosomes create proteins. Further, they are either anchored to the endoplasmic reticulum or float freely within the cytoplasm. 

There are only three ribosomes in prokaryotes, whereas there are four in eukaryotes. During ribosome assembly in eukaryotes, nucleoli gather and assemble ribosomes. RNA strands combine with ribosomal proteins to form two ribosome subunits: a small one and a large one.

Functions Of Structure of Animal Cells

Cells in most animals are categorised into higher levels of structures such as tissues, organs, and organ systems. Alongwith obtaining food and oxygen, animal cells also maintain their internal conditions, move and reproduce.

A cell of an animal is highly specialised to accomplish a particular function. The organelles within each cell type are suited to the task that it performs.

In the heart, synchronised beating may be achieved by the cardiac muscles or the digestive tract when cilia increase the surface area for nutrients to be absorbed.

All animal cells perform four basic functions:

• Animal cells are responsible for physical growth.

• Animal cells use respiration to break down or oxidise food substances and release energy.

• Animal cells convert food into energy, which allows them to perform various regular activities known as metabolism.

• When animals conceive, their bodies use cellular reproduction to replace dying, diseased or damaged cells so that species can continue. Furthermore, each cell copies its DNA exactly before splitting into two identical cells. Known as mitosis.

Conclusion

First and foremost, understand the functions of each organelle that are present inside the structure of an animal cell. Then practice the diagram by drawing it a few times. Despite the wide variety of animal cells depending on their purpose, there are some features that all cells share. Many structures constitute the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondria and ribosomes. It is known that an animal cell contains 13 parts: the membrane, the nucleus, the nucleolus, the nuclear membrane, the cytoplasm, the endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus, the ribosomes, mitochondria, centrioles, the cytoskeleton, the vacuoles and the vesicles.