Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cellular Types and Histology

• Prokaryotic cell


  Bacterial cell
• Eukaryotic cell


  Cell with a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
• Nucleoid


  The bacterial genetic material and the molecules bound to it
• Cells of Higher Animals
• Somatic cells (body cells)

  • Neurons
  • Epithelial cells
  • Liver cells
  • Somite
• Somatic cells


  Play a physiological role in the overall function of the organisms
• Germ cells


  Cells involved in reproduction
• Differences between somatic and germ cells

  • Genetic material (haploid vs diploid)
  • Mode of reproduction (meiosis vs mitosis)
  • Localization (testis/ovary vs anywhere in body)
  • Function (reproduction vs systematic physiology)
• Diversity of Human Cells

  • Melanocytes
  • Epithelial Cells
  • Unspecialized cells of connective tissue
• Unspecialized cells of connective tissue

  Can commit to becoming cartilage, bone, fat and smooth muscle cells
• Lymphocytes


  • 6-8 micrometer in diameter with a minute cytoplasm
  • 5,000 cells per microliter of blood
  • Function for immune system to help fight off infection
• Epithelial Tissue


  Shielding the organism against harmful infective agents (skin), uptake and pre-metabolism of nutrients and drugs (intestine)