Question

whats the difference between sterocilia, cilia and microvilla

Answer 1

Size and function.

Sterocillia, unlike their name, are more related to microvilli than cillia (which I didn't know!), also, unmoving, most notable as part of the inner ear: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereocilia

Cillia, come in motile and non-motile varieties. They are most familiar to me as part of the muco-cilliary apparatus/escalator in the respiratory system: trachea and early lower airway have cillia that function to move a carpet of sticky mucus out of the lungs and into the throat where it can be swallowed, keeping undesirable dust and germs from penetrating deeply into the lungs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cilium

Microvilli, though they look similar to cillia, are very different in function: they increase the surface area available for absorption of nutrients in the small intestine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microvillus

Answer 2

i think now i know the difference now! Stereocili is longer than microvilli and less motile as compared to cilia.
Thanks for sharing, it was very informative. Really appreciate it;)

Answer 3

No prob! I didn't know about sterocillia before I started a reply. I happen to think microvilli are really cool - it's their increase in surface area that allows us to absorb nutrients. Without those little folds, we would be much less efficient digesters!

Answer 4

Yes! I cant agree more to that! Nature is such a wonder!