Distinct Human Celltypes

[Sean Nash]

Let's examine the true variability found in even our own bodies... not to mention for now the variability found in all of life on Earth. We really need to get past the idea that all cells look like this worn-out model:

Check out THIS link.

Scan through all of the human cell types listed here to get a feel for the entire system. Take in the sheer variety of celltypes required to make your body function and maintain homeostasis. Then... find two cell types that seem particularly interesting or important to you. Read about that type and then return here to summarize that type for the rest of us.

Find a celltype that either contains a good deal of detail, or even better... research that celltype on other sites on your own. Where is it found? What does it do? Why is is particularly important or interesting to you, or anyone? Tell us about this celltype and why it matters... and do it in your own words. Yes, you will likely have to use a significant amount of terminology depending on which you choose, and that is ok. Just talk it down to a conversational level.

Difficulty level: your cell types must be unique. No one can use a type that has already been described in this thread.

ps- this little model of a generic cell really is nicely done... check it out.

[Terra Younger]

The two cell types that I chose to write about are: Ceruminous gland cell and Prostate gland cell.

The Ceruminous gland cell (ear wax secretion)- is a specialized sweat gland located in the external canal of the ear that secretes cerumen (earwax). Earwax's job is to lubricate and clean the auditory canal, it also acts as a barrier for foreign objects, such as: dust, pollen, bacteria and fungus.

If it wasn't for the ceruminous gland we'd all be deaf. It protects our delicate inner ear. Sure everyone hates earwax, everyone uses q-tips to get rid of the pesky greenish gunk that inhabits our ears... But just know the ceruminous gland is muy importante :)


The Prostate gland cell stores and secretes milky or white fluid that usually constitutes 25-30% of semen along with spermatozoa and seminal vesicle fluid. The fluid that the prostate secretes has alkaline properties which help neutralize the acidity of the vaginal tract, which prolongs the life of the sperm. The prostate gland is located underneath the bladder of males, women do not have a prostate.

Although I'm a girl and don't have a prostate... The prostate gland is still REALLY important. It allows the sperm to reach the egg more efficiently and lets be real, we were all sperm and egg at one time.

[Ivory Baldwin]

I really never thought about earwax being Important, I always thought of it as ew earwax and just used a qtip to get rid of it!!

[Taylor Woodruff]

that's CRAZY that we'd be deaf if we didn't have earwax! I would have never thought that! who knew that the "pesky greenish gunk that inhabits our ears" actually cleans the auditor canal?

[Ally S]

I claimed the Natural Killer Cell (NK cell) and the B cell.

Natural Killer Cells are a type of cytotoxic lymphocyte-which means that they are a toxic type of white blood cell. They play a major role in the immune system, because they help "reject" tumors and virus-infected cells. The NK cells release cytoplasmic granules of proteins called perforin and granzyme. These kill by apoptosis-a series of biochemical events that leads to the death of the infected cell. The cell got the name "natural killer" because they don't require "activation" in order to kill infected cells.


Now for the B cell. The B cells are also lymphocytes (white blood cells). They play a major role in the humoral immune response, which is "the aspect of immunity that is mediated by secreted antibodies..". B cells make antibodies against antigens, which work against the antibodies.


Good stuff.

[Kerstyn Bolton]

I've never even heard of the Natural Killer Cells but they are very interesting because they are so powerful. Granted all cells are important, but this one seems to be extremely important as it can "help 'reject' tumors and virus-infected cells." That's really cool!

[leigh holland]

wow thats crazy to think we have cells in our bodies that can kill other diseases and things of that nature. and that theses cells dont have to be actived they just kill on there own. what if the cell killed the wrong thing what if something just went really wrong with the whole killing the disease without being told to..

[james d green]

SPERM: From the German word 'sperma' meaning seed. Not all sperm is motile, there is also non-motile. The motile moves by its flagella or its long tail like structure. The structure of the cells flagella disables it to swim backwards. Sperm quantity and quality are important in semen quality. Thus in a man's ability to reproduce.

[Marcy Withrow]

I like this! That's an interesting connection. I didn't think about other people around the world sweating less than we do. When you say they have stronger scents does that mean they smell better or worse? With less cells wouldn't they smell better? That makes me wonder if there is a percentage chart that has compared how much people of different races sweat.

[Kylie Warner]

This is actually a really cool cell. I mean kind of gross but I think it's crazy that other people don't sweat! It's sucha common thing that we do. And the B.O. thing is like.. oh duh. Very kool.

[Ivory Baldwin]

I never knew that some people dont use deodorant becaue they just dont sweat that much, I guess i just figured everyone sweat and need to put deodorant on. Interesting

[Shandis Cruz]

Awesome! I had no idea ethnicity could play a role in sweating! Weird, but TOTALLY AWESOME!

[josh steltenpohl]

Suppressor T cell does exactly whats in it's name, it suppresses the activation of the immune system, in other words it keeps the immune system at a balance. I picked this cell because i liked the name mainly, before reading the information on I new nothing of it. Without this cell in our body your immune system wouldn't stay on track, or stay ready to fight off illness.