Cell vs. Corpuscles — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on November 28, 2023
A cell is the basic unit of life, found in all living organisms, while corpuscles are specialized cells or cell-like structures, like blood cells.
Difference Between Cell and Corpuscles
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A cell is the fundamental building block of all living organisms. It's a microscopic structure enclosed by a membrane, containing cytoplasm and genetic material. On the other hand, corpuscles refer to specific types of cells or cell-like structures, especially in the context of blood, such as red or white blood cells.
Every living organism, whether single-celled like bacteria or multicellular like humans, consists of cells. These cells have various functions depending on their type and location within the organism. Corpuscles, in the context of human biology, are often associated with the circulatory system and play crucial roles in transporting oxygen, fighting infections, and more.
A cell can be a complete organism in itself, like a single-celled amoeba, or can be part of a larger organism, contributing to its overall function. Corpuscles are never organisms on their own but are vital components within larger systems.
The study of cells is known as cytology, a branch of biology that explores cell structure, function, and their importance in the continuity of life. Corpuscles are often studied in fields like hematology, which focuses on blood and its components.
Both cells and corpuscles are essential to the understanding of life and how organisms function. While all corpuscles are cells, not all cells are considered corpuscles.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Basic unit of life found in all living organisms.
Specialized cells or cell-like structures, e.g., blood cells.
Presence
In all living organisms.
Mostly in blood, but also in other tissues (e.g., tactile corpuscles in the skin).
Functions
Varies (e.g., energy production, protein synthesis, waste elimination).
Specific to type (e.g., oxygen transport for red blood cells).
Study Field
Cytology
Hematology
Relation
A broad category; every living organism is made of cells.
A subset of cells, referring to specific types or structures.
Compare with Definitions
Cell
Enclosed by a plasma membrane and contains genetic material and cytoplasm.
A cell's nucleus contains its genetic blueprint.
Corpuscles
Specialized cells or cell-like structures often found in the blood.
Red and white blood corpuscles are vital for oxygen transport and immunity, respectively.
Cell
Can be unicellular, making up the entire organism, or multicellular, forming parts of larger organisms.
Bacteria are single-celled, while humans have multiple types of cells.
Corpuscles
Derived from Latin, meaning "little body."
Under a microscope, you can observe various corpuscles in a blood sample.
Cell
Can undergo division to produce identical daughter cells.
During growth, cells divide to increase in number.
Corpuscles
Not organisms by themselves but function within larger systems.
While corpuscles are vital, they work as part of broader biological systems.
Cell
Can specialize into different types based on function and location.
Nerve cells are different from muscle cells in both structure and function.
Corpuscles
In other contexts, refers to sensory receptors in the skin.
Meissner's corpuscles detect light touch on the skin.
Cell
A narrow confining room, as in a prison or convent.
Corpuscles
Can refer to blood components, specifically red and white cells.
Blood corpuscles play essential roles in the body's circulatory system.
Cell
A small enclosed cavity or space, such as a compartment in a honeycomb or within a plant ovary or an area bordered by veins in an insect's wing.
Corpuscles
An unattached body cell, such as a blood or lymph cell.
Cell
(Biology) The smallest structural unit of an organism that is capable of independent functioning, consisting of cytoplasm, usually one nucleus, and various other organelles, all surrounded by a semipermeable cell membrane.
Corpuscles
A rounded globular mass of cells, such as the pressure receptor on certain nerve endings.
Cell
(Architecture) See web.
Corpuscles
A discrete particle, such as a photon or an electron.
Cell
The smallest organizational unit of a clandestine group or movement, such as a banned political movement or a terrorist group. A cell's leader is often the only person who knows members of the organization outside the cell.
Corpuscles
A minute globular particle.
Cell
A single unit for electrolysis or conversion of chemical into electric energy, usually consisting of a container with electrodes and an electrolyte; a battery. Also called electrochemical cell.
Corpuscles
Plural of corpuscle
Cell
A single unit that converts radiant energy into electric energy
A solar cell.
Cell
A fuel cell.
Cell
A geographic area or zone surrounding a transmitter in a cellular telephone system.
Cell
A cellphone.
Cell
(Computers) A basic unit of storage in a computer memory that can hold one unit of information, such as a character or word.
Cell
A storm cell.
Cell
A small humble abode, such as a hermit's cave or hut.
Cell
A small religious house dependent on a larger one, such as a priory within an abbey.
Cell
A box or other unit on a spreadsheet or similar array at the intersection of a column and a row.
Cell
To store in a honeycomb.
Cell
To live in or share a prison cell.
Cell
A single-room dwelling for a hermit.
Cell
A small monastery or nunnery dependent on a larger religious establishment.
Cell
A small room in a monastery or nunnery accommodating one person.
Gregor Mendel must have spent a good amount of time outside of his cell.
Cell
A room in a prison or jail for one or more inmates.
The combatants spent the night in separate cells.
Cell
Each of the small hexagonal compartments in a honeycomb.
Cell
Any of various chambers in a tissue or organism having specific functions.
Cell
(entomology) The discal cell of the wing of a lepidopteran insect.
Cell
(obsolete) Specifically, any of the supposed compartments of the brain, formerly thought to be the source of specific mental capacities, knowledge, or memories.
Cell
A section or compartment of a larger structure.
Cell
Any small dwelling; a remote nook, a den.
Cell
A device which stores electrical power; used either singly or together in batteries; the basic unit of a battery.
This MP3 player runs on 2 AAA cells.
Cell
(biology) The basic unit of a living organism, consisting of a quantity of protoplasm surrounded by a cell membrane, which is able to synthesize proteins and replicate itself.
Cell
(meteorology) A small thunderstorm, caused by convection, that forms ahead of a storm front.
There is a powerful storm cell headed our way.
Cell
(computing) The minimal unit of a cellular automaton that can change state and has an associated behavior.
The upper right cell always starts with the color green.
Cell
(card games) In FreeCell-type games, a space where one card can be placed.
Cell
A small group of people forming part of a larger organization, often an outlawed one.
Those three fellows are the local cell of that organization.
Cell
(communication) A short, fixed-length packet, as in asynchronous transfer mode.
Virtual Channel number 5 received 170 cells.
Cell
(communication) A region of radio reception that is a part of a larger radio network.
I get good reception in my home because it is near a cell tower.
Cell
(geometry) A three-dimensional facet of a polytope. Category:en:Higher-dimensional geometry
Cell
(statistics) The unit in a statistical array (a spreadsheet, for example) where a row and a column intersect.
Cell
(architecture) The space between the ribs of a vaulted roof.
Cell
(architecture) A cella.
Cell
(entomology) An area of an insect wing bounded by veins.
Cell
A cellular phone.
Cell
(transitive) To place or enclose in a cell.
Cell
A very small and close apartment, as in a prison or in a monastery or convent; the hut of a hermit.
The heroic confessor in his cell.
Cell
A small religious house attached to a monastery or convent.
Cell
Any small cavity, or hollow place.
Cell
The space between the ribs of a vaulted roof.
Cell
A jar of vessel, or a division of a compound vessel, for holding the exciting fluid of a battery.
Cell
One of the minute elementary structures, of which the greater part of the various tissues and organs of animals and plants are composed.
Cell
To place or inclose in a cell.
Cell
Any small compartment;
The cells of a honeycomb
Cell
(biology) the basic structural and functional unit of all organisms; cells may exist as independent units of life (as in monads) or may form colonies or tissues as in higher plants and animals
Cell
A device that delivers an electric current as the result of a chemical reaction
Cell
A small unit serving as part of or as the nucleus of a larger political movement
Cell
A hand-held mobile radiotelephone for use in an area divided into small sections (cells), each with its own short-range transmitter/receiver
Cell
Small room is which a monk or nun lives
Cell
A room where a prisoner is kept
Cell
The basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms.
The human body consists of trillions of cells.
Common Curiosities
What are red corpuscles responsible for?
Red corpuscles or red blood cells transport oxygen in the blood.
Can corpuscles refer to things outside of blood?
Yes, for instance, tactile corpuscles are sensory receptors in the skin.
Can a cell exist independently?
Yes, single-celled organisms are made of just one cell that exists independently.
Is DNA found in every cell?
Yes, DNA is found in the nucleus of every cell.
Are all corpuscles a type of cell?
Yes, all corpuscles are cells or cell-like structures.
Are there corpuscles in the lymphatic system?
Yes, the lymphatic system contains lymphocytes, a type of white corpuscles.
What's the primary function of white corpuscles?
White corpuscles or white blood cells are essential for immune responses.
Are plant cells different from animal cells?
Yes, plant cells have a cell wall and chloroplasts, which animal cells lack.
How do cells reproduce?
Cells reproduce by cell division, either through mitosis or meiosis.
How many types of cells are there in the human body?
There are over 200 different types of cells in the human body.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
