Classification of Inclusion Bodies

Inclusion bodies can be present in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells either in the cytoplasm or within the nucleus. Some inclusion bodies are formed during infection when the foreign microorganism infects the human cells. However, some inclusion bodies are formed during cell metabolism. Inclusion bodies in cell act as storehouses of certain metabolites or metabolic byproducts. Different types of Inclusion bodies are discussed further:

  • Proteinaceous inclusion bodies: These are composed primarily of proteins. Examples include Lewy bodies in Parkinson’s disease and neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Viral inclusion bodies: These are formed during viral infections and contain viral proteins and nucleic acids. Examples include Negri bodies in rabies and Cowdry bodies in herpes simplex virus infections.
  • Nuclear inclusion bodies: These are located within the nucleus of the cell. Examples include Cowdry type A bodies in herpes simplex virus infections.
  • Cytoplasmic inclusion bodies: These are located within the cytoplasm of the cell. Examples include Lewy bodies in Parkinson’s disease.
  • Neurodegenerative inclusion bodies: These are associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease.
  • Fibrillar inclusion bodies: These are composed of aggregated fibrillar proteins. Examples include neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Granular inclusion bodies: These are composed of granules or smaller particles. Examples include Negri bodies in rabies.
  • Toxic inclusion bodies: These inclusion bodies may exert toxicity to the cell due to the accumulation of misfolded or aggregated proteins. Examples include Lewy bodies in Parkinson’s disease.
  • Protective inclusion bodies: These inclusion bodies may serve a protective role by sequestering harmful proteins or viral particles. Examples include Mallory bodies in alcoholic liver disease.

Inclusion Bodies

Inclusion bodies are also known as cytoplasmic inclusions, cell inclusions, or elementary bodies. Some inclusion bodies examples are Negri bodies, Lewy bodies, etc. They are found floating in the cytoplasm. These are usually formed in the cells if they experience stress or are infected. Inclusion bodies class 11 is an important topic in the biology syllabus.

The general features of inclusion bodies depict the inclusion bodies as being acidophilic. Inclusion bodies can be classified as to where and how they are formed. In this article, we will read about the Inclusion bodies meaning, features, functions, and diseases involving inclusion bodies.

Table of Content

  • What are Inclusion Bodies?
  • General Features of Inclusion Bodies in Cell
  • Functions of Inclusion Bodies
  • Classification of Inclusion Bodies
  • Inclusion Bodies Examples
  • Diseases Associated With Inclusion Bodies

Similar Reads

What are Inclusion Bodies?

Inclusion bodies are found in cells. They are formed when the pH of soluble fusion protein within cells decreases. Typically, they are formed in the virus-infected cells during infection. Inclusion bodies in cell are non-living and are composed of cellular metabolism by-products. Glycogen granules, phosphate granules, gas vacuoles, and cyanophycean granules are a few classic examples of inclusion bodies. Based on the cell type, inclusion body composition and function varies....

General Features of Inclusion Bodies in Cell

Common features of inclusion bodies are as follows:...

Functions of Inclusion Bodies

It performs various functions depending on the type of organism and the specific inclusion body. Some common functions of inclusion body are given below:...

Classification of Inclusion Bodies

Inclusion bodies can be present in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells either in the cytoplasm or within the nucleus. Some inclusion bodies are formed during infection when the foreign microorganism infects the human cells. However, some inclusion bodies are formed during cell metabolism. Inclusion bodies in cell act as storehouses of certain metabolites or metabolic byproducts. Different types of Inclusion bodies are discussed further:...

Inclusion Bodies Examples

Some examples of each type of inclusion body is given as follows:...

Diseases Associated With Inclusion Bodies

Although storing cellular metabolites can serve a positive function for human cells, a deviation in natural balance can lead to certain disorders or health problems. Inclusion bodies cannot be confused with amyloid bodies which are also protein aggregates. The main difference is that amyloid accumulation involves polymerisation and can be intra or extracellular. However, inclusion bodies do not mandatorily need polymerisation and are specifically intracellular. Extracellular accumulations are not considered inclusion bodies....

Conclusion: Inclusion Bodies – Features, Classification and Examples

An inclusion body is a distinct structure found within cells that is often comprised of aggregated proteins, viral particles, or other substances. These bodies can vary widely in composition, size, and function, and they are observed across different organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and human cells. Inclusion bodies are commonly associated with pathological conditions, but they can also serve physiological roles within cells like storage. They are an interesting topic of research and are still being studied to understand their mechanisms in depth....

FAQs on Inclusion Bodies

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