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Concept Note 5 Cell Modification

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29 views3 pages

Concept Note 5 Cell Modification

Uploaded by

ashaleakayeelpedes
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Cell Modification

What is Cell Modification?


Are specialized or modifications re-acquired by the cell after cell division that helps the cell in different beneficial
ways

Apical Modification
Cilia and Flagella
➢ Cilia are usually short, hair-like structure that move in waves
➢ Flagella are long whiplike structures
➢ Formed from microtubules

Villi and Microvilli


➢ Villi are finger-like projections that arise from the epithelial layer in some organs. They help to increase
surface area allowing for faster and more efficient absorption
➢ Microvilli are smaller projections that arise from the cell’s surface that also increase surface area allowing
faster and more efficient absorption

Pseudopods
➢ Temporary, irregular lobes formed by amoebas and some other eukaryotic cells
➢ Bulge outward to move the cell or engulf prey
Extra Cellular Matrix (ECM)
➢ Compound secreted by the cell on its apical surface
➢ Cell wall is the extracellular structure in plant cell that distinguishes them from animal cells
➢ Glycoprotein is the main ingredient of ECM in animal cells

Basal Modifications
➢ Cell modication found on the basal surface of the cell
Desmosomes/Hemidesmosomes
➢ Anchoring junction on the basal surface of the cell
➢ Rivet-like links between cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix components such as the basal lamina that
underlie epithelia
➢ Primarily composed of keratin, integrins and cadherins

Lateral Modifications
Tight Junction
➢ Act as barriers that regulate the movement of water and solutes between epithelial layers

Adhering Junction
➢ Anchoring junction on the lateral surface of the cell
➢ Very similar to the anchoring junction of the basal surface of the cell
➢ Fasten cells to one another
Gap Junction
➢ Also known as communicating junctions
➢ Closable channels that connect the cytoplasm of adjoining animal cells
➢ Presence of connexon that allow direct exchange of chemicals between the cytoplasm of two cells

The Importance of Cell Modification


➢ To survive and have a comprehensive systematic physiology, organisms have developed some
modifications in their structure. These modifications facilitate the acquisition of their needs and their
adaptation to a changing environment.

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