Dyreceller

Dyreceller, commonly translated as animal cells, are eukaryotic cells that constitute the tissues of animals. Like other eukaryotes, they have a true nucleus enclosed by a nuclear envelope and a system of membrane-bound organelles. They differ from plant and fungal cells by lacking a rigid cell wall and chloroplasts; instead they possess a flexible plasma membrane and a cytoskeleton that supports movement and shape.

Key organelles include the nucleus with DNA, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (rough and smooth), Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, peroxisomes, and various vesicles. The cytoskeleton—composed of actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules—helps with intracellular transport, cell division, and cell junctions. Animal cells often form specialized junctions such as tight junctions, gap junctions, and desmosomes to connect tissues.

Modes of differentiation produce diverse cell types: epithelial, muscle, nerve, blood cells, etc. Cell size and morphology vary by tissue. The basic cell cycle includes interphase (G1, S, G2) and mitosis; germ cells undergo meiosis. Animal cells rely on energy from mitochondria and on signaling pathways to regulate growth, development, and homeostasis.

Impact and research: Animal cells are central to developmental biology, physiology, and medicine. They are studied in culture using established cell lines; anomalies in animal cells can indicate disease, including cancer or genetic disorders.

See also: plant cell, eukaryotic cell, cell theory.