What is the Difference Between Cilia and Microvilli?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Cilia and microvilli are both cellular protrusions, but they serve different functions and have distinct structural features:
Cilia:
- Cilia are hair-like structures that can be motile or non-motile.
- They are composed of microtubules, similar to flagella.
- Cilia help in movement and locomotion, such as in protozoans, and can also be used for sensing external cues.
- They are longer than microvilli, with lengths between 5-10 micrometers.
- Cilia are typically found in columnar epithelial cells of the airways and fallopian tubes.
Microvilli:
- Microvilli are finger-like membrane protrusions found on almost all cell types.
- They are sustained by the actin cytoskeleton and are non-motile.
- Microvilli have a glycocalyx layer, which facilitates nutrient absorption.
- They are shorter than cilia, with a length of about 1 micrometer.
- Microvilli are primarily found in the columnar epithelial cells of the small intestine and renal tubules.
In summary, cilia are motile hair-like structures involved in movement and sensing, while microvilli are non-motile finger-like projections that enhance nutrient absorption.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Cilia and Microvilli? Comparative Table: Cilia vs Microvilli
Comparative Table: Cilia vs Microvilli
Cilia and microvilli are special types of protuberances found on the surface of some eukaryotic cells, serving sensory functions or facilitating absorption. Here is a table summarizing the differences between cilia and microvilli:
Feature | Cilia | Microvilli |
---|---|---|
Definition | Cilia are narrow, long, hair-like structures that arise from the apical surface of cells. | Microvilli are microscopic cellular membrane protrusions that increase the surface area of cells. |
Size | Cilia are typically 5 to 10 µm in length and 0.2 µm in diameter. | Microvilli are about 1 µm in length. |
Structure | Cilia are made up of microtubules. | Microvilli are made up of actin filaments. |
Motility | Cilia can be motile, moving back and forth to propel fluid in one direction. | Microvilli are not motile. |
Ultrastructure | Cilia show a 9+2 arrangement in their ultrastructure. | Microvilli do not have a definitive ultrastructure. |
Location | Cilia can be found on protozoans, respiratory epithelium cells, and other eukaryotic cells. | Microvilli are abundantly present on the epithelial cells of the small intestine, where they form "brush borders". |
Both cilia and microvilli are projections of the plasma membrane and are found only in certain cells, serving specific functions.
Read more:
- Cilia Stereocilia vs Microvilli
- Villi vs Microvilli
- Flagella vs Cilia
- Microtubules vs Microfilaments
- Ciliated Epithelial Cell vs Squamous Epithelial Cell
- Actin Filaments vs Microtubules
- Microglia vs Macroglia
- Cisternae vs Tubules
- Villi vs Alveoli
- Pili vs Flagella
- Microphage vs Macrophage
- Macrophages vs Dendritic Cells
- Cell Membrane vs Cytoplasm
- Pili vs Fimbriae
- Cytoplasm vs Cytoskeleton
- Cell Plate vs Cleavage Furrow
- Epithilium vs Endothelium
- Lamellipodia vs Filopodia
- Cytokinesis vs Mitosis