Cell, beta (pancreatic)
Cell, beta (pancreatic): A type of cell in the pancreas (the organ of the digestive system located behind the stomach). Within the pancreas, the beta cells are located in areas called the islets of Langerhans. They constitute the predominant type of cell in the islets. The beta cells are important because they make insulin. Degeneration of the beta cells is the main cause of type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.
Read Also:
- Cell, cone
Cell, cone: A type of specialized light-sensitive cell (photoreceptor) in the retina of the eye that provides color vision and sharp central vision. By contrast, the rods are retinal photoreceptors that provide side vision and the ability to see objects in dim light (night vision).
- Cell, delta (pancreatic)
Cell, delta (pancreatic): A type of cell in the pancreas (the organ of the digestive system located behind the stomach). Within the pancreas, the delta cells are located in areas called the islets of Langerhans. The delta cells make somatostatin, a hormone that inhibits the release of numerous hormones in the body.
- Cell, fat
Cell, fat: A cell containing fat. Also called an adipocyte. A fat cell, or adipocyte, is a connective tissue cell that has differentiated and become specialized in the synthesis (manufacture) and storage of fat. The fat cell (adipocyte) is important to the body in maintaining proper energy balance, storing calories in the form of lipids, […]
- Cell, helper
Cell, helper: A type of T cell that participates in the immune response by recognizing foreign antigens and secreting substances called cytokines that activate T and B cells. Helper cells fall into two main classes: those that activate other T cells to achieve cellular inflammatory responses; and those that drive B cells to produce antibodies […]
- Cell, plasma
Cell, plasma: A type of white blood cell that produces and secretes antibodies. A plasma cell is a fully differentiated lymphocyte in the B-cell (not the T-cell) lineage. As with most cell types, plasma cells can mutate to give rise to cancer. Plasma cell malignancies include multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, and plasma cell leukemia.