Chapter 4

Cell
Modifica
tion
Learning Objectives:
 Define cell modification
 enumerate and describe the three types of cell
modification
 characterize apical, basal and lateral cell
modifications
 give examples of apical, basal and lateral cell
modifications
Overview:
 Definition of Cell modification
 Three types of Cell Modification
 Examples of Apical, Basal and Lateral
Cell Modification
 Functions of the different 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
 Cilia

Flagella

Apical Microvilli
Cell Modification

Pseudopods
C
e
l
Glycoprotein Collagen
Basal Hemidesmosomes l

Tight Junctions w
a
Lateral Adhering Junctions l
l
ECM
Gap Junctions
 free surface of epithelial tissue

plasmodesma

ER
tight junctions cytoplasm
plasma
membrane
cell wall
gap junctions

adhering junctions

basement membrane
A Three types of cell junctions in animal tissues. B Plasmodesmata are channels
that connect the cytoplasm and ER
of adjacent plant cells.
 Apical Modification
free surface of epithelial tissue

 Cell modification found on

the apical surface of the
cell tight junctions

gap junctions

adhering junctions

basement membrane
 Apical Modification
Cilia and Flagella
 Cilia are usually short,
hair-like structures that
move in waves
 Flagella are long whiplike
structures
 Formed from

microtubules
Apical Modification

Cilia Flagellum
 Apical Modification
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 adsorption
 Microvilli are smaller projections
that arise from the cell's
surface that also increase
surface area allowing faster
and more efficient absorption
 Apical Modification
Pseudopods
 Temporary, irregular
lobes formed by
amoebas and some
other eukaryotic cells
 Bulge outward to
move the cell or
engulf prey
 Apical Modification
Extra Cellular Matrix (ECM)
 Compound secreted by the cell on its apical
surface
 Cell wall is the extracellular structure in plant
cells that distinguishes them from animal cells
 Glycoprotein is the main ingredient of ECM in
animal cells
Apical Modification
 Basal Modification
free surface of epithelial tissue

 Cell modification found on

the basal surface of the
cell tight junctions

gap junctions

adhering junctions

basement membrane
 Basal Modification
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
Basal Modification
 Lateral Modification
 Cell modification found
on the basal surface
of the cell
 Lateral Modification
Tight Junction
 Act as barriers that
regulate the movement
of water and solutes
between epithelial layers
 Prevent leakage of ECF
 Lateral Modification
free surface of epithelial tissue

Adhering Junction
 Anchoring junction on the
lateral surface of the cell
 Very similar to the
tight junctions

anchoring junction of the

basal surface of the cell gap junctions

 Fasten cells to one adhering junctions

another basement membrane

Three types of cell junctions in animal tissues.
 Lateral Modification
free surface of epithelial tissue

Gap Junction
 Also known as
communicating junctions
 Closable channels that tight junctions

connect the cytoplasm of

adjoining animal cells
 Presence of connexon that gap junctions

allow direct exchange of adhering junctions

chemicals between the

cytoplasm of two cells basement membrane
Three types of cell junctions in animal tissues.
 Assignment
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