The relation between the rod-like inner structures and the shapes of the cells

The shapes of the cells with simple rod-like inner structures are studied t heoretically. Since the cell with inner structure can be bent, the possibil ity of non-axisymmetric shapes is considered. The equilibrium shape of the cell, obtained by minimizing the sum of the membrane bending energy and the bending energy of the rod, depends on the ratio between the bending consta nt of the membrane and the bending rigidity of the polymer rod. The depende nce of the cell shape on the length of the rod and on the difference betwee n inner and outer membrane layer areas is presented.