The fundamental duality of anatomy and physiology, form and function, exists in

Question

The fundamental duality of anatomy and physiology, form and function, exists in every cell, in every tissue and in every organ. Moreover, the functions of a given tissue are predicated upon the functions of the cells from which that tissue is formed. While most cells contain the same types of organelles (mitochondria, nucleus, etc.), the number of each organelle varies depending on the cell's function. With this in mind, suggest which organelle one may expect to see more of than usual in the following cell types: skeletal muscle cells which contain high concentrations of contractile proteins, nueurons which consume a lot of energy, and hepatocytes of the liver which detoxify the blood.

Explanation / Answer

In skeletal muscle cells, sarcosomes should be higher in number than in regular cells. Sarcosomes are the mitochondria of striated muscle cells, and as muscles cells need a lot of energy to contract, sarcosomes are present in abundant quantities.

Hepatocytes contain a large number of golgi bodies (and associated smooth endoplasmic reticulum), as they produce and transport a large number of enzymes, lipids and steroids, along with the metabolism of waste products from the blood.

Neurons have a large number of mitochondria, and neural cells account for 20% of all oxygen usage in the body. This is because they need energy to operate a large number of ion pumps to conduct action potential.

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