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Cell Modifications

The document discusses cell modifications, which are adaptations that transform generic cells into specialized ones for specific functions. It outlines three types of cell modifications: apical, lateral, and basal, detailing structures like cilia, microvilli, and cell junctions that facilitate movement, absorption, and communication between cells. These modifications are crucial for organisms to adapt to their environments and perform essential biological tasks.

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Lani Fernandez
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14 views16 pages

Cell Modifications

The document discusses cell modifications, which are adaptations that transform generic cells into specialized ones for specific functions. It outlines three types of cell modifications: apical, lateral, and basal, detailing structures like cilia, microvilli, and cell junctions that facilitate movement, absorption, and communication between cells. These modifications are crucial for organisms to adapt to their environments and perform essential biological tasks.

Uploaded by

Lani Fernandez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Cell Modifications

What are some cell modifications?


How do they help the organism adapt
to the environment?
Objectives:

 Define Cell modification


 Enumerate and describe the three
types of cell modifications
 Discuss the importance of these cell
modifications to various organisms
Cell modifications

 adaptations or changes
 Refers to the process in which an
ordinary or generic cell is
transformed into a specialized cell
in order to do a specific task for the
body.
Apical Cell Modifications
Cilia- are hair-like projections in the
apical surface of columnar epithelial cells
- are used in detecting stimuli and also
in movement
- Functions for the clearing of mucus
along the linings of the respiratory tract
 Two Types of Cilia
Nonmotile cilia or primary cilia-
most commonly found in mammalian
cells. These cilia are essential in
signaling and in detecting stimuli
(sensory)
Motile cilia- usually present in
groups and move in a coordinated
manner (movement)
Apical Cell Modifications

 Microvilli- increase surface area


- functions for absorption,
Such as those in the
intestines
 Flagella- are used in locomotion
 Stereocilia- similar to
microvilli and cilia but
are longer and
nonmotile.
- increase surface area
and detect stimuli. They
are always nonmotile.
Lateral and Basal
Modifications
 Cell junctions- aid in the
communication between adjacent
cells. They also adhere cells to each
other and to the basal lamina
 Tight junctions or
occluding junctions-
found in the lateral side of
the cells
- Act as regulators of the
movement of molecules
between adjacent cells.
 Tight junctions or
occluding junctions- They
prevent the leakage of water,
solute molecules, or ions
- usually found in the
intestinal walls and the
kidney
 Gap Junctions- are
tunnel-like intercellular
junctions that connect the
cytoplasms of
Two adjacent cells
-commonly found in neurons
 Adherens junctions –
connect the
cytoskeletons of two
adjacent cells
 Desmosomes- like
adherens junctions,
connect the cytoskeleton of two adjacent
cells. However, desmosomes connect to
each cell’s intermediate filaments,
while adherens junctions connect to the
acting filaments
 Hemidesmosomes-
adhere cells to the
extracellular matrix
- present in the upper
respiratory tract and
intestines
 Pseudopodia
- are not apical or basal
modifications. Instead, they are
extentions of the cytoplasm that
allow organisms such as amoebas
to move and ingest food particles

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