Download HUMAN CELL TYPES

HUMAN CELL TYPES
1. Rods - a visual receptor in the retina of the eye that is specialized for vision
in dim light.
2. Cones – a light-sensitive receptor in the eye’s retina that is associated with
color vision.
3. Melanocytes – a pigmented cell located beneath the epidermis that
synthesizes melanin.
4. Cytotoxic T cells – type of T cell that destroys body cells infected with
particular pathogens. Recognition occurs by the body cell usually having
some of the pathogen’s antigens on their surface. Body cells are destroyed
when their membrane is punctured.
5. Suppressor T cells – responsible for shutting down the immune response
after the pathogen has been cleared from the body.
6. Helper T cells – type of T cell that coordinates the immune response.
Produced in the bone marrow but travels to the thymus where it matures.
7. Natural Killer cells – a large white blood cell that attacks pathogeninfected cells. Particularly effective in killing cancer cells and cells infected
with a virus.
8. B cells – A lymphocyte (white blood cell) that produces antibodies in
response to antigens. Produced and matured in the bone marrow.
9. Erythrocytes – a red blood cell. Formed in the bone’s red marrow. They
synthesize large amounts of an iron-containing protein called hemoglobin
which is the molecule that transports oxygen and, to a lesser degree, carbon
dioxide.
10. Leukocytes – a white blood cell. Function to defend the body against
disease. Formed in the bone marrow, lymph nodes and spleen. Several
different types exist. Some serve as phagocytes that engulf invading microorganisms, while others produce antibodies which are proteins that destroy
substances.
11. Lymphocyte – a type of white blood cell that occurs in two primary forms:
T cells and B cells. These cells are primarily associated with the body’s
immune system.
12. Hemocytoblast – Immature stem cell in bone marrow that develops along
different pathways into all the different mature blood cells.
13. Neurons – A cell that transmits electrical signals throughout the body.
Consists of a cell body, dendrites and an axon.
14. Osteoclast – Breakdown bone to allow for new bone growth and provide
calcium to the blood.
15. Osteoblast – Cell that participates in bone formation by secreting organic
compounds and inorganic salts.
16. Parietal (Oxyntic) cells – a cell in the gastric (stomach) glands that
produces and secretes hydrochloric acid needed for food digestion.
17. Zymogenic (peptic) cells – type of cell found in the gastric gland that is
responsible for secreting pepsinogen. When mixed with hydrochloric acid in
the stomach, pepsinogen is converted to pepsin which is a digestive enzyme
used to break down protein. Also known as chief cells.
18. Enteroendocrine cells – a stomach cell that secretes the hormone gastrin.
This hormone stimulates the stomach to secrete digestive enzymes.
19. Myofiber/ Myocyte – Muscle cells. These cells are capable of contraction
and relaxation.
20. Goblet cells – a goblet shaped cell found in the respiratory and intestinal
tracts. They secrete mucus.
21. Gametocytes / gametes – A cell that develops into a gamete; a
reproductive cell – sperm, eggs
22. Islets of Langerhans - Alpha cell – A cell in the pancreas that secretes
glucagon, a hormone that results in the raising of the blood glucose level.
23. Islets of Langerhans - Beta cell – A cell in the pancreas that secretes
insulin, a hormone that results in lowering the blood glucose level.
24. Schwann cells – A cell that forms a protective sheath (coating) around
nerve cells. They wrap around the nerve’s long axon jelly-roll fashion.
25. Alveoli cells – thin cells that surround the lung alveoli through which
oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse through.
26. Adipocytes – Stores fat that provides energy, insulation and surrounds
and protects vital organs like the kidneys.
27. Fibroblasts – A large, flat cell that forms elastic fibers and the matrix in
connective tissue.
28. Thrombocytes – a fragment of cytoplasm enclosed in a membrane and
lacking a nucleus. Found in circulating blood and involved in blood clotting.
Also known as platelets.
29. Chondrocytes – Cell found in mature cartilage.
30. Keratinocyte – The most numerous of skin cells (95%). They produce
keratin, a protein that forms hair and fingernails in humans