Cell : The Basic Unit of Life

A cell is a unit of living that can live by itself and includes all living organisms and tissues of the body. It consists of three major parts: the cell membrane, nucleus, and cytoplasm. In addition to surrounding the cell, the cell membrane is in charge of deciding which substances can get into and leave the cell. 

In every cell, the nucleus contains the nucleolus and most of the cell’s DNA. It also produces most of the cell’s ribonucleic acid (RNA). All cells have a fluid called cytoplasm inside them. Chemical reactions and protein production take place in the cytoplasm. Approximately 30 trillion cells make up the human body.

Cells are also surrounded by membranes, which have receptors on their surfaces. They contain several small structures, such as the nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi complex. Each of these structures serves a specific function within the cell.

Discovery of Cells

The scientist Robert Hooke was the first to use the term cell to refer to these tiny units of life in 1665. In the early days of microscopy, he was one of the earliest scientists to study living things. Despite his microscopes not being assertive, he made an important discovery. Upon looking at a thin slice of cork under a microscope, he was surprised to see a honeycomb-like structure. He saw that the pin was made up of several tiny units, which he termed cells.

Soon after Hooke discovered cells, Anton van Leeuwenhoek made his microscope lenses in Holland. His microscope was more potent than other microscopes of his day, almost as powerful as a modern light microscope. With this, Leeuwenhoek observed human cells and bacteria for the first time.

Cell Theory

Scientists by the early 1800s had observed many different organisms’ cells. Several German scientists, including Theodor Schwann and Matthias Jakob Schleiden, recognised the importance of cells as the basic building blocks of all living things. The German physician Rudolf Virchow discovered around 1850 that cells divide and form new cells as they were observed under a microscope. Virchow established that living cells generate new cells by dividing. According to him, living cells can only arise from other living cells.

Virchow, Schwann, and Schleiden all contributed to the development of cell theory, which is a whole area of study in biology. 

Cell theory states the following:

• Cells make up every organism.
• An organism’s life functions take place within its cells.
• Every cell is derived from an existing partition.

Despite the diversity of cells, all cells have specific characteristics in common. Cells have plasma membranes, cytoplasms, ribosomes, and DNA.

1. A phospholipid membrane surrounds a cell and comprises a thin layer of phospholipid. Cells use it as a physical boundary between themselves and their environment so that you can think of it as their ‘skin’.
2. This fluid-filled material within a cell’s plasma membrane is called cytoplasm. A liquid substance called cytosol within the cytoplasm contains other cell structures, including ribosomes.
3. A ribosome is a structure in the cytoplasm which makes proteins.
4. Nucleic acids are found in cells, including DNA. In DNA, the genetic instructions are encoded to make proteins.
5. Each component is present in all cells, even in organisms as diverse as bacteria and humans.

Characteristics of Cells

The various characteristics of cells are as follows:

• An organism’s body is supported and structured by its cells.
• There are multiple organelles within each cell surrounded by a separate membrane.
• DNA is located in the nucleus (major organelle) and is necessary for cell growth and reproduction.
• The cytoplasm of every cell contains membrane-bound organelles.
• The mitochondria, a double membrane-bound organelle, is responsible for converting energy necessary for a cell’s survival.
• Lysosomes digest cellular waste.
• The endoplasmic reticulum plays a significant role in the cell’s internal organisation by synthesising selected molecules, processing, directing, and sorting them at their appropriate locations.

Types of Cells

Cells are of many types. All living organisms are made up of two types of cells: eukaryotic and prokaryotic.

Eukaryotic Cells

All humans are made up of eukaryotic cells. They can also be found in animals, plants, and fungi. How do they differ from other cells? They have a different structure.

Structure of a Eukaryotic Cell

Eukaryotic cells are distinguishable by having many parts and needing them all simultaneously. They execute many functions. Despite the diversity of structures in eukaryotic cells, the following components are standard.

1. Protective Membrane: Depending on the cell, this can be called the cytoplasmic membrane, cell wall, or cell membrane. Although it may be called many things, it is essentially a protective barrier separating the inside of the cell from the outside.
2. Nucleus: An important feature that makes eukaryotic cells unique is their brain or nucleus. In the cell, all the genetic material like deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is stored here, where all the magic happens.
3. Other Organelles: Different organelles are found in eukaryotic cells. Cells may differ slightly depending on whether they are plants, animals, fungi, or protists. Among the different organelles are:

• Ribosomes – functions as a protein producer
• Endoplasmic reticulum – responsible for storing and transporting cell material
• Cytoskeleton – provides the cell structure.
• Golgi apparatus – provides protein transportation.
• Cilia – tiny hairs used for movement
• Lysosomes – provides cell digestion.
• Flagella – whip-like hair for movement

A fFew examples of eukaryotic Cells

All living things are made up of eukaryotic cells, from the grass under your feet to the birds in the sky. Animals, plants, fungi, and all other forms would be on a long list of eukaryotes. It is a unique type of cell that contains living organisms. Algae and amoeba are examples of protozoa.

Prokaryotic Cells

A prokaryotic cell’s simplicity is its key feature. A prokaryotic cell does not have a nucleus, unlike eukaryotic cells. Bacteria and archaea are the only types of prokaryotic cells. Whether a cell has a nucleus or not, it still has a brain. Rather than being enclosed in a nucleus, their DNA is found within the cells themselves. 

Structure of a Prokaryotic Cell

Prokaryotic cells contain the following structures:

• Cell wall: a protective layer around the cell
• Nucleoid: an area where genetic material is stored
• Plasma membrane: the tissue that surrounds the cell
• Ribosomes: protein manufacturers
• Capsule: sac or membrane around the cell
• Flagellum and pili: used for movement

A few examples of prokaryotic Cells

1. coli, streptococcus and staphylococcus are prokaryotic cells that make us ill. Archaea, two common examples of archaea include methanogens and thermophiles. 

Other types of cells:

• Epithelial Cells:- These cells are tightly attached.
• Nerve Cells:- These cells are specialised for communication.
• Muscle Cells:- These cells are specialised for contraction.
• Connective Tissue Cells

Conclusion

The smallest unit of life is a cell. Multicellular organisms contain cells independent of each other, while some cells are themselves organisms. The same four categories of organic molecules make up all living cells: nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. Cells provide structure and function to all living things, from bacteria to humans. Every cell in our body is responsible for making the proteins, chemicals, and signals that make up our body.