cell having common Acquire different appearance because
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It is because different parts of a cell perform different functions for which they acquire different shapes.
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Because different cell types have different functions in a multicellular organism.
Each cell type "runs" a particular subset of its genetic program, under control of various signals coming from other cells, nearby or far away in the body. The particular subset (which can vary over time) determines the cell's function, and very frequently also its shape. Consider, for example, that a disc-shaped neuron would hardly be able to perform its function of taking signals from and sending signals to millions of other neurons; or that a large and very ramified red blood cell would hardly be useful as an oxygen and CO2 transporter as it would tangle and clot all over the blood stream.
As has been said for a long time now: Form follows function. At least in a first approximation. Multicellular organisms aren't an exception--in fact, they are an excellent example.
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H. G. Hansma, Top Quora Writer 2018
Answered Mar 15
Originally Answered: Why do cells have different shapes and sizes?
Cells are like other living things, which all differ in their shapes and sizes. Plant cells are mostly rectangular, which makes sense for plants, which have some of their parts in straight lines - think of blades of grass and tree trunks. Our skin cells are flat, like skin.
Cells of some Pseudomonas bacteria are short rods with round ends when they grow in liquid, but the cells get very long when they’re grown in flat layers on filters. It turns out they grow long on filters, because then their bottom sides are a larger fraction of their total area, and they can only get food through their bottom sides when they grow on filters. Here’s the article we wrote about it:
Elongation Correlates with Nutrient Deprivation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Unsaturated Biofilms
R. E. Steinberger, A. R. Allen, H. G. Hansma and P. A. Holden
Microbial Ecology
Vol. 43, No. 4 (May, 2002), pp. 416-423
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Ian Williams, BSc Biology & Environmental Science, The Open University (2017)
Answered Nov 4, 2017
Originally Answered: Why do the cells of the human body differ in size and shape?
A cell’s shape and size has been ‘sculpted’ by natural selection.
In biological organisms, nature ‘seeks’ the most efficient solution every time (i.e natural selection), and so a given cell, is shaped by its contents.
A cell’s contents is dependant on its role. Cells with different roles have Different contents (organelles, chromosomes etc), and so that leads to different shapes and sizes.
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Jay Armstrong, Many degrees, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, UPenn, Hopkins
Answered Mar 14
Originally Answered: Why do cells have different shapes and sizes?
In Biology, a major dictum is - “form follows function.” So, a neuron, which must carry impulses form one cell to another over a distance, is long, thin and frequently myelinated (insulated) - just as an electrical wire would be. Red blood cells have an optimized shape to pack the greatest amount of hemoglobin in the smallest possible volume and are also very flexible and compressible.
Each cell type "runs" a particular subset of its genetic program, under control of various signals coming from other cells, nearby or far away in the body. The particular subset (which can vary over time) determines the cell's function, and very frequently also its shape. Consider, for example, that a disc-shaped neuron would hardly be able to perform its function of taking signals from and sending signals to millions of other neurons; or that a large and very ramified red blood cell would hardly be useful as an oxygen and CO2 transporter as it would tangle and clot all over the blood stream.
As has been said for a long time now: Form follows function. At least in a first approximation. Multicellular organisms aren't an exception--in fact, they are an excellent example.
12.9k Views · View Upvoters
Upvote · 5
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H. G. Hansma, Top Quora Writer 2018
Answered Mar 15
Originally Answered: Why do cells have different shapes and sizes?
Cells are like other living things, which all differ in their shapes and sizes. Plant cells are mostly rectangular, which makes sense for plants, which have some of their parts in straight lines - think of blades of grass and tree trunks. Our skin cells are flat, like skin.
Cells of some Pseudomonas bacteria are short rods with round ends when they grow in liquid, but the cells get very long when they’re grown in flat layers on filters. It turns out they grow long on filters, because then their bottom sides are a larger fraction of their total area, and they can only get food through their bottom sides when they grow on filters. Here’s the article we wrote about it:
Elongation Correlates with Nutrient Deprivation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Unsaturated Biofilms
R. E. Steinberger, A. R. Allen, H. G. Hansma and P. A. Holden
Microbial Ecology
Vol. 43, No. 4 (May, 2002), pp. 416-423
349 Views
Upvote
Share
Comment...

Ian Williams, BSc Biology & Environmental Science, The Open University (2017)
Answered Nov 4, 2017
Originally Answered: Why do the cells of the human body differ in size and shape?
A cell’s shape and size has been ‘sculpted’ by natural selection.
In biological organisms, nature ‘seeks’ the most efficient solution every time (i.e natural selection), and so a given cell, is shaped by its contents.
A cell’s contents is dependant on its role. Cells with different roles have Different contents (organelles, chromosomes etc), and so that leads to different shapes and sizes.
1.1k Views
Upvote
Share
Comment...
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Jay Armstrong, Many degrees, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, UPenn, Hopkins
Answered Mar 14
Originally Answered: Why do cells have different shapes and sizes?
In Biology, a major dictum is - “form follows function.” So, a neuron, which must carry impulses form one cell to another over a distance, is long, thin and frequently myelinated (insulated) - just as an electrical wire would be. Red blood cells have an optimized shape to pack the greatest amount of hemoglobin in the smallest possible volume and are also very flexible and compressible.
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