CELL MODIFICATION

Cell Modification – These are modifications that are specially re-acquired by the cell after cell
division that helps the cell in many beneficial ways.

There are three types of cell modification, the apical modification, the basal modification, and the
lateral modification.
a. Apical (Surface or luminal) modifications – It is specialized to carry out functions that occur at
these interfaces including secretion, absorption, and movement of luminal contents.
 The function of apical modification
 The apical surfaces of epithelial cells are modified in certain areas in order to
facilitate movement of substances the epithelial surface or to increase the
surface area of the epithelial lining.
 The four types of Apical Modification
1. Cilia
2. Flagella
3. Microvilli
4. Pseudopods
1. Cilia – it is a hair-like structure attached to the surface of the cell and has a wave like motion.
It can be motile and non-motile. Example of a motile cilia can be found in the lining of our
lungs. Hair-like projections called the cilia, it lines the primary bronchus to remove microbes
and debris from the interior of the lungs.
 Motile cilia and flagella function to move extra-cellular fluid. Structurally, the ciliate
motile cilium is conventional consisting of nine set of doublet microtubules arranged
radially around a central pair of single microtubules.
 Most non-motile cilia are termed primary cilia or sensory cilia and serve solely as
sensory organelles. Most vertebrate cell types possess a single non-motile primary
cilium, which functions as a cellular antenna. Olfactory neurons possess a great many
non-motile cilia.

2. Microvilli – they function by increasing the surface area of the cell membrane, thus allowing
for more materials to be absorbed into the cell at a quicker rate. Unlike cilia, microvilli do not
move.
 Attached to finger-like projections called villi. Microvilli are extensions of villi and are
made of microfilaments and cytoplasm. The abundance of microvilli is found in the
small intestine. Their function here to is to increase surface area in order to increase
the amount of nutrients that are absorbed.
 They increase the rate of absorption in intestine, secretion and cellular adhesion.
Microvilli are on the surfaces of epithelial cells such as those lining the intestine
increase the cell’s surface area and thus facilitate the absorption of ingested food and
water molecules.
What happens if you have no microvilli?

 Disorganized enterocytes with poorly formed microvilli reduce the intestine’s ability
to take in nutrients. The inability to absorb nutrients and fluids during digestion
leads to recurrent diarrhea, malnutrition, and dehydration in individuals with
microvillus inclusion disease.
3. Pseudopods – also known as pseudopodia (singular noun: pseudopodium), pseudopods are
temporary extensions of the cytoplasm (also referred to as false feet) used for locomotion
and feeling. They can be found in all sarcodines as well as a number of flagellate protozoa
that either exist as parasites or as free living organisms.
 The term pseudopod is Greek in origin and translates to "false feet." Pseudopodia are
projections of the cytoplasm in organisms like the amoeba, other unicellular organisms,
 as well as some animal and human cells. Pseudopodia can also be observed in cancer
cells, as they function as arms to enable the spread of cancer.
 The functions of pseudopodia include locomotion and ingestion: Pseudopodia are called
phagocytosis pseudopodia. A common example of this type of amoeboid cell is the
macrophage.
4. Flagella - microscopic hair-like structures involved in the locomotion of a cell. The word
“flagellum” means “whip”. The flagella have a whip-like appearance that helps to propel a cell
through the liquid. Some special flagella are used in few organisms as sensory organs that can
sense changes in pH and temperature.
 Can be seen in the sperm cells of males and other lower form of living organisms such
as Euglena. Flagella performs the following functions: They help an organism in
movement. They act as sensory organs to detect temperature and pH changes. Few
eukaryotes use flagellum to increase reproduction rates.

Basal Modification
 The next type of cell modification is basal modification. Cell modification that is found on the
basal surface of the cell basement membrane gap junctions adhering junctions tight
junctions free surface of epithelial tissue.
 Rivet-like links between cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix components such as the basal
lamina that underlie epithelia. It is primarily composed of keratins, integrins and cadherins.
Example of Basal Modification
 Hemidesmosomes are multiprotein complexes that facilitate the stable adhesion of basal epithelial
cells to the underlying basement membrane. The mechanical stability of hemidesmosomes relies
on multiple interactions of a few protein components that form a membrane-embedded tightly-
ordered complex.

Lateral Modification
 It is a cell modification also found in the basal surface of the cell. Known as cell junctions.
 Has specialized structure that serves as intercellular connection between two adjacent cells.
There are three types of lateral modification;
 Tight junctions
 Adhering junctions
 Gap junctions