Why Supplements? - The Human Cell

The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of the body. It is capable of obtaining energy and processing nutrients. It is the smallest part capable of the processes that define life, including reproduction, movement, respiration, digestion and excretion. However, not every cell has all these abilities.

How small is a cell? Believe it or not, you can actually fit about 40 cells in a row stretched across a period (full stop)! There are more than 200 types of specialized cells that populate the human body. Some cells develop with their own kinds to form a specific types of tissue and in some other cases, tissues are made of several different types of cells combined.

Cells come in many shapes and sizes, depending on their specialized functions within tissues. Some cells divide faster than others, for example, the epithelial (covering and lining) cells divide the fastest while the nerve cells is so slow that it is almost non-existent.

Examples of cell types:

• Epithelial Cells
  

These cells form the skin, cover most organs and line hollow cavities. They divide rapidly to replace themselves because they are subjected to friction, compression and physical wear.

• Photoreceptor Cell

A light-sensitive cell that shapes like a cone. It is found in the retina of the eye. They are activated by bright light and are responsible for color perception.

• Red Blood Cell

The red cell is a bag of oxygen-carrying hemoglobin molecules.

• Adipose (fats) Cell

These cells are bulky and crammed with fat lipids which store energy in case the diet cannot meet requirements.

• Smooth Muscle Cell

These are large, elongated, spindle-like shaped muscle fibers cells. The shape allows for contraction by means of sliding strands of protein inside.

• Nerve Cell

Each nerve cell consists of short extensions (called dentrites) to receive nerve signals and a long "wire" (axon) to send signals to other cells.

• Sperm Cell

Each sperm has a head that carries the paternal set of genetic material, and a long whip-like tail which propels it towards the egg.

• Ovum (egg) Cell

These giant cells contain the maternal complement of genetic material and energy resources for the first cell divisions that shape the early embryo.






Why Supplements? - The Human Cell