How does cell shape relate to function?

Answer 1

A good example of specialized cell shape is the neuron. They must be very long and skinny to allow the nervous system to function. Another example is epithelial cells, including skin cells, which bind tightly to one another to form a continuous sheet

Answer 2

Cellular form follows function.

The shape and structure of a cell reflects whatever function it needs to accomplish. For example: brain cells have many connecting branches to send signals to each other. Cells that protect the body surfaces and cavities (epithelial cells) are often flatted or square-like in shape so they can fit together and cover surfaces. Red blood cells are shaped like biconcave discs (a little like an inner tube), this shape helps them absorb oxygen and be a little more flexible when passing through small blood vessels.

Answer 3

all cells have different purposes. think of a sperm cell, or a nerve cell, a sperm cell has a tail that it allows it to swim in its desired direction and the nerve cell has many different endings for all the necessary information to travel trough.

Answer 4

Cell shape for metabolic cells e.g red blood cells, germinal cells, macrophages or self sustaining cells like unicellular organisms like amoeba and paramecium and dinoflagellates are oblong or spherical because they need to optimize surface area [for absorbption of nutrients and expulsion of wastes] with cell organelles [the metabolic machinery] for maximum function. Cell shapes for more specialized cells can be cylindrical and thin for tensile strength or mobility as in mucous cillia. The shape can be frilly and irregular like in intestinal villi to maximize absorption. Red blood cells lack nuclei to increase cytoplasmic space for oxygen retention. Intercalated discs in cardiac tissue increase contact surface area to increase transmission speed of electricity. There are many more unique shapes that I have not mentioned. Not to mention neurons :) I won't even try with those. I like trying to look at the shape first and see if I can hypothesize why.

Answer 5

The shape of the plant cell relates to its function directly. For instance, the epithelium has a large surface area due to its function of absorption.