Scientists from Germany, Canada, Spain, and the USA conducted a large-scale study, determining the number of individual cells in a typical human body. The results are based on the analysis of over 1,500 publications.
According to the study, the body of an adult man contains approximately 36 trillion cells, while in women, this number is about 28 trillion. For comparison, a 10-year-old child has around 17 trillion cells.
Another interesting discovery made by the researchers was the grouping of cells by size, with each size category making a similar contribution to body weight. The published work suggests the existence of size-based organization of cells among various types.
Interestingly, the difference in size between the smallest cells in the body, such as red blood cells, and the largest cells, such as muscular fibers, is akin to comparing the sizes of a shrew and a blue whale. This finding is truly remarkable.
The researchers emphasize that the cells in our body have an ideal size for their respective functions, and any disturbances in this proportion often indicate the presence of disease. The process of cell regulation is not only highly important but also incredibly intelligent.
This study is notable for its focus on comparative cell sizes. In the future, scientists will be able to explore how our bodies precisely regulate the size and number of cells to maintain normal health and growth.
All research data from the study are now available online. The authors conclude that their data contribute to creating a comprehensive quantitative framework for human body cells and uncover large-scale patterns in cell biology.