MadSci Network: Cell Biology
Query:

Re: what's the largest cell in men, and what is the smallest cell in women?

Date: Wed Sep 22 23:56:18 2004
Posted By: Ian WHITE, Secondary School Teacher, Biology 11-19, Godalming College
Area of science: Cell Biology
ID: 1095729857.Cb
Message:

Hi Semsong!
Great question - and one that I found very difficult to research!  
However, I did manage to find some information which suggests that the 
smallest cell is a platelet cell.  These are short-lived cells found in 
the blood and responsible for blood clotting and repair.  Some argue 
that, since platelets have no nucleus, they are not 'complete' cells and 
so do not count!
Further investigation suggested that certain brain cells might well be the 
smallest 'full' cell; they have been little investigated because their 
size and location (near the centre of the brain) makes research difficult.

As for the largest cell, the LONGEST would be the neurones that go from 
your toes to your spine - over a metre long.  BUT they are very thin!  
The adipose cells (fat storage cells) under the skin stretch as more fat 
droplets are deposited; similarly, muscle cells expand with exercise and 
with stored glycogen (as used by muscle-builders).  I would guess that 
one of these cells would have the biggest total volume.


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