How does the ability of a white blood cell to change its shape affect its function?How are the organelles of a single cell like organs of a multicellular organism?

2 Answers
Apr 22, 2017

White blood cells change their shape to reach a site of infection.

Explanation:

Other part of the question is answered separately

White blood cells (leukocytes) are part of the immune system and have are responsible for tracking and killing pathogens such as bacteria. An important way white blood cells eliminate pathogens is by 'eating' them (pahgocytosis).

White blood cells circulate in the blood stream, but are usually required at the site of infection inside tissues. For this to happen, the white blood cells have to migrate through the walls of small blood vessels and have to be able to find their way in tissues (see image). This can only occur because the white blood cells are able to change shape .

www.cell.com/trends/cell-biology/fulltext/S0962-8924(10)00269-2 (adapted)

Apr 22, 2017

Regarding the 2nd part of the question: organelles are the organs that keep cells alive.

Explanation:

Since there are two questions in one, I decided to answer them separately.

Complex multicellular organisms have organs that perform all functions to keep an organism alive.

Similarly, single cells have organelles ('mini-organs') that provide everything a single cell needs to stay alive. That is also the reason that single cells can exist as living organisms e.g. bacteria.

Some examples:

custom made illustration