Cell Basics
This section will deal with the basics of cell biology. Cells, in the most vague form, are the smallest units of life. They were first named by Robert Hooke while studying cork through one of the first microscopes. He found their structures to be similar to the small rooms that monks lived in called cells and named them thus.
All complex organisms are made up of cells and all living things are made up of one or more cells. There are two kinds of cells: Eukaryotic Cells and Prokaryotic Cells.
All complex organisms are made up of cells and all living things are made up of one or more cells. There are two kinds of cells: Eukaryotic Cells and Prokaryotic Cells.
Eukaryotic Cells
All multi-cellular organisms such as humans are made up of eukaryotic cells. Eukaryotic cells include plant and animal cells and are surrounded by a structure called the cell membrane. They are distinguished from prokaryotic cells by the fact that they contain a variety of membrane-bound organelles within them. These organelles assist them in their life processes and make them more complex and adaptable than prokaryotic cells.
Prokaryotic Cells
Prokaryotic cells are mainly represented by bacteria. They are surrounded by a tough outer wall and have none of the membrane-bound organelles that eukaryotic cells have. Because of this, all of their life processes take place in their cytoplasm. they are not as evolved or specialized as eukaryotic cells and do not work together to form multicellular organisms. This kind of cell is the most prevalent in the world and they exist in almost every possible condition on the planet.
More coming soon! Last updated March 20, 2012.