A Remarkable Balance Observed When Grouping Human Cells Based on Their Size.
From the oxygen-carrying red blood cells to the branching neurons that govern our thoughts, the human body is composed of many different types of cells.
Illustration of a neuron. (Photo: Getty).
Based on a comprehensive analysis of over 1,500 published sources, a team of scientists from Germany, Canada, Spain, and the United States released a thorough study on the number of cells present in the human body.
According to the study, each adult male has approximately 36 trillion cells, while adult females tend to have around 28 trillion cells.
Beyond the total cell count, the research reveals something particularly intriguing. When cells are grouped based on their size, each type contributes almost equivalently to the body’s mass.
The researchers suggest that this indicates a kind of natural balancing act occurring within the human body, given the vastly different relative sizes of cells.
The researchers discovered a surprising balance between cell count and biomass. (Photo: PNAS).
For instance, comparing the smallest cells in the body (e.g., red blood cells) with the largest cells (e.g., muscle fibers) is akin to comparing a shrew with a blue whale.
The study also indicates that our cells are perfectly sized for their various roles, and any disruption to this scale often signifies the presence of disease.
Previously, scientists have attempted to estimate the number of cells in the human body. However, what makes this new study unique is the depth of analysis into cell sizes to facilitate these comparisons.
Based on this research, scientists will explore how the human body tends to adjust the size and number of cells in order to maintain our health and ensure normal development.
