In-depth look at cells
What are Cells Made of?
All cells are made of different structures that allow the cell to function properly. A cell is quite similar to a house. Cells are surrounded by a structure called a cell membrane. This membrane is similar to the brick wall around a house. It sets a clear boundary between the internal and external environment, as well as being selectively permeable. Only difference is cell membranes in animal cells are fluid and flexible, while plant cells have cell walls which are rigid.
Once inside the cell membrane the interior is water based. The liquid that fills the space is called cytoplasm. The cytoplasm is a jelly like substance where chemical reactions take place.
Inside that cytoplasm are other important structures such as the ribosomes. They are little balls that look like grains of sand that consists of RNA and proteins. Their purpose is to help make proteins through protein synthesis.
Another important part is the mitochondria. They are like generators, because they are the power houses of the cell. They convert energy into forms that can be used by the cell.
The most important part of a cell is the nucleus. It controls the cell's growth and reproduction. It acts as the command centre of the cell. It also contains chromosomes which are made of DNA. DNA is the hereditary information and has the instructions for cell growth, development and reproduction.
All cells are made of different structures that allow the cell to function properly. A cell is quite similar to a house. Cells are surrounded by a structure called a cell membrane. This membrane is similar to the brick wall around a house. It sets a clear boundary between the internal and external environment, as well as being selectively permeable. Only difference is cell membranes in animal cells are fluid and flexible, while plant cells have cell walls which are rigid.
Once inside the cell membrane the interior is water based. The liquid that fills the space is called cytoplasm. The cytoplasm is a jelly like substance where chemical reactions take place.
Inside that cytoplasm are other important structures such as the ribosomes. They are little balls that look like grains of sand that consists of RNA and proteins. Their purpose is to help make proteins through protein synthesis.
Another important part is the mitochondria. They are like generators, because they are the power houses of the cell. They convert energy into forms that can be used by the cell.
The most important part of a cell is the nucleus. It controls the cell's growth and reproduction. It acts as the command centre of the cell. It also contains chromosomes which are made of DNA. DNA is the hereditary information and has the instructions for cell growth, development and reproduction.
Components in Cells
Cells have some substances inside them, one of them are nucleic acid. Nucleic acid are molecules that contain and help express the cell's genetic code. There are two types of nucleic acid, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the molecule that contains all of the information required to build and reproduce an identical cell, while RNA has several roles that are associated with the expression of the information stored in DNA.
Proteins are an important substance inside cells. They are substances that are made from chains of smaller molecules called amino acids. Proteins have many functions inside a cell, they can be catalytic or structural. Proteins called enzymes convert cellular molecules into other forms that help a cell meet its energy needs, build support structures or pump waste out of the cell.
Carbohydrates and lipids are two other common substances. Lipids are involved in energy storage. Carbohydrates are starches and sugars the cells. Simple carbohydrates are used for immediate energy demands, and complex carbohydrates are used for long term energy.
Cells have some substances inside them, one of them are nucleic acid. Nucleic acid are molecules that contain and help express the cell's genetic code. There are two types of nucleic acid, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the molecule that contains all of the information required to build and reproduce an identical cell, while RNA has several roles that are associated with the expression of the information stored in DNA.
Proteins are an important substance inside cells. They are substances that are made from chains of smaller molecules called amino acids. Proteins have many functions inside a cell, they can be catalytic or structural. Proteins called enzymes convert cellular molecules into other forms that help a cell meet its energy needs, build support structures or pump waste out of the cell.
Carbohydrates and lipids are two other common substances. Lipids are involved in energy storage. Carbohydrates are starches and sugars the cells. Simple carbohydrates are used for immediate energy demands, and complex carbohydrates are used for long term energy.
Types of Cells
There are two types of cell and they are categorized by how their genetic material is located inside the cell. First we have eukaryotes (Image above, left cell), they have DNA separated from the rest of the cell. It is inside a membrane-bound room called the nucleus. All animals and plants are made of eukaryotic cells. Most eukaryotes are multi-cellular organisms but there are some unicellular ones like amoebas that are eukaryotes.
The other type of cells are prokaryotes (Image able, right cell), they do not have their DNA separated. It sits in the cytoplasm due to the lack of a nucleus. All prokaryotes are unicellular organisms, some examples are bacteria and archaea.
There are two types of cell and they are categorized by how their genetic material is located inside the cell. First we have eukaryotes (Image above, left cell), they have DNA separated from the rest of the cell. It is inside a membrane-bound room called the nucleus. All animals and plants are made of eukaryotic cells. Most eukaryotes are multi-cellular organisms but there are some unicellular ones like amoebas that are eukaryotes.
The other type of cells are prokaryotes (Image able, right cell), they do not have their DNA separated. It sits in the cytoplasm due to the lack of a nucleus. All prokaryotes are unicellular organisms, some examples are bacteria and archaea.