What is the Difference Between Fat Cells and Muscle Cells

The main difference between fat cells and muscle cells is that fat cells store lipid droplets, whereas muscle cells store glucose. 

Fat and muscle cells are two cell types in the body. They are important in metabolism and maintaining a healthy body.    

Key Areas Covered

1. What are Fat Cells
– Definition, Structure, Function
2. What are Muscle Cells
– Definition, Structure, Function
3. Similarities Between Fat Cells and Muscle Cells
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Fat Cells and Muscle Cells
– Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms 

Adipocytes, Fat Cells, Lipocytes, Muscle Cells, Myocytes

What are Fat Cells

Fat cells, adipocytes, or lipocytes make up adipose tissue that stores energy in the form of fat. Adipogenesis is the process of forming fat cells from the mesenchymal stem cells. The two types of fat cells form white adipose and brown adipose tissues. White fat cells contain a single, large lipid droplet in the cytoplasm. Therefore, these cells are unilocular. The flattened nucleus of them is pushed to the periphery. The diameter of a typical white fat cell is 0.1 mm. They store fat as triglycerides or cholesteryl esters. Also, they secrete adipokines, including adiponectin, apelin, leptin, and resistin. In contrast, the shape of the brown fat cells is polyhedral. They are derived from dermatomyocyte cells. Several lipid droplets are scattered throughout the cell. Therefore, they are multilocular, and they contain a considerable cytoplasm. They contain a round nucleus.

Figure 1: White Fat Cells

Furthermore, fat cells form oily tissue. Two types of fat occur in the body. They are subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. The subcutaneous fat sits under the skin, while visceral fat surrounds the internal organs. The development of both types of fat in the body depends on lifestyle factors and genetics of a person. On the other hand, subcutaneous fat plays a vital role in the body, helping maintain body temperature as it insulates the body. In addition, it serves as an energy source. Also, subcutaneous and visceral fat protect internal structures of the body, including muscles, organs, blood vessels, nerves, etc.  

What are Muscle Cells

Muscle cells or myocytes are cells in the body that develop from myoblasts. There are three types of muscle cells: smooth muscle cells, cardiac muscle cells, and skeletal muscle cells. Smooth muscle cells occur inside the walls of internal organs, including blood vessels, the stomach, the intestine, etc. The cardiac muscle exclusively occurs in the wall of the heart. Also, the skeletal muscle cells are attached to bones. Skeletal and cardiac muscle cells contain myofibrils. However, skeletal muscles are multinucleated, while cardiac muscle cells contain a single nucleus. Smooth muscle cells also contain a single nucleus but no myofibrils.

Figure 2: Muscle Cell 

Furthermore, out of the three, the third type of muscle is important to provide structural support to the body and aid in locomotion. As a percentage of the total body mass, an adult male should contain 42% of skeletal muscles, and an adult female should contain 36%.

Similarities Between Fat Cells and Muscle Cells

• Fat and muscle cells are two cell types in the body.
• They are important for keeping a healthy body.
• They maintain the shape of the body.

Difference Between Fat Cells and Muscle Cells

Definition

Fat cells, or adipocytes or lipocytes, refer to a specialized cell of adipose tissue that stores excess energy in triglyceride droplets, while muscle cells, or myocytes, refer to the individual contractile cells within a muscle. 

Color

Fat cells are brown and yellow, while muscle cells are red. 

Types

The two types of fat in the body are visceral and subcutaneous fat, while the three types of muscle cells are smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and skeletal muscle.  

Storage

Fat cells store lipid droplets, while muscle cells store glucose. 

Density

Fat cells are less dense, while muscle cells are denser.

Function

Fat cells maintain body temperature, while muscle cells provide structural support and support for body movements.

Conclusion

In brief, fat cells and muscle cells are two cell types in the body. Fat cells store excess energy in the form of triglycerides. Also, they are yellow and brown. Additionally, the two types of fat in the body are visceral fat and subcutaneous fat. However, fat cells are less dense. They maintain body temperature. In comparison, muscle cells are contractile cells that make up muscles. But, the three types of muscle cells are smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and skeletal muscle. Also, they store glucose. They are denser and red. They provide structural support and help the body’s movements. Therefore, the main difference between fat cells and muscle cells is their storage type. 

References:

1. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.-a). Adipose cell. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/adipose-cell
2. Rachel Baxter BSc, Ms. (2023, July 13). Types of muscle cells. Kenhub. https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/types-of-muscle-cells

Image Courtesy:

1. “Blausen 0012 AdiposeTissue” By en:User:Jpogi – Own work (CC-BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “1022 Muscle Fibers (small)” By Nephron – Own Work (CC-BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia