Introduction
The cell is one of the most important topics that form the basic pillars of microbiology. The latter involves the scientific study of the functions and properties of all living organisms that are too small to be seen with the unaided eye (Zeng, 2022). Archaea, bacteria, viruses, fungi, phages, algae, and protozoa are some of these microbial entities studied in this discipline. Contrarily, the cell is the basic membrane-bound structure that all living organisms are made of and stores the essential molecules of life. For the case of bacteria and yeast, a single-celled microbe is typically a complete organism by itself.
Together with other specialized cells, these cells form the foundation for higher multicellular organisms like humans and other animals. Despite being far bigger than atoms, cells are nonetheless incredibly small. Mycoplasmas, a class of microscopic bacteria, have the tiniest cells ever identified. Some of these single-celled entities are utterly microscopic, with diameters as small as 0.2 micrometres (Zeng, 2022). A breakdown of cell types, characteristics, structure and functionality aspects forms the basis of this paper.
Cell Structure
Each of the numerous specialized organelles, that constitute a cell’s interior is enclosed by a membrane. The nucleus is one important organelle that houses the genetic material required for cell division and growth. While other forms of organelles are found in many copies in the cellular components or cytoplasm, each cell only has one nucleus (Zeng, 2022). Organelles such as the Golgi body and the endoplasmic reticulum are significant in the internal organization of the cell as they secret specific molecules before sorting and channelling them to their correct locations either within or outside the cell. On the other hand, lysosomes digest foreign particles within the cell whereas mitochondria are in charge of the energy exchanges required for cell survival.
Chloroplasts, which are part of plant cells, are involved in photosynthesis, the process by which water and carbon (IV) oxide molecules are transformed into carbohydrates using the energy from the sun. The region of the cytoplasm known as the cytosol is located between all of these organelles. The cytoskeleton, which gives a cell its structure, allows organelles to move inside the cell, and offers a means through which the cell itself can move, is a coordinated lattice of fibrous molecules found in the cytoplasm. The process of creating larger molecules from smaller ones, commonly referred to as cellular biosynthesis, involves more than 15,000 different types of molecules, all of which may be found in the cytosol (Zeng, 2022). The section below highlights the common characteristics of cells.
Characteristics of Cells
The following are some of the key features of cells:
- Homeostasis: Cells’ ability to maintain an organism’s internal environment at equilibrium.
- Reproduction: they can give rise to new ones of the same kind.
- Metabolism: Cells can collect and use energy for growth, locomotion, and development.
- They have DNA and hereditary material which are transferrable to offspring during reproduction.
On the other hand, although a membrane surrounds each cell, its semi-permeability allows for the exchange of specific materials between it and its environment. This membrane is contained within a rigid cell wall in plant cells. The segment that follows discusses the common types of cells.
Types of Cells
Cells can be classified as either prokaryotic or eukaryotic. These two categories assume different shapes, but their molecular composition and functionality are remarkably similar. Polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acid are the main substances found in cells. Cells that are prokaryotic lack a nucleus. Therefore, as an alternative, some prokaryotes, like bacteria, have a section of the cell (nucleoid) in which the hereditary material is loosely suspended (Zeng, 2022). Eukaryotic cells, on the other hand, have a genuine nucleus with a diameter that varies between 10 and 100 µm. Eukaryotes can reproduce both sexually and asexually, in contrast to prokaryotic cells, which typically reproduce by binary fission, an asexual mechanism. The section that follows summarizes the different functions performed by cells in organisms.
Functions of Cells
The primary activities carried out by a cell are necessary for the development of an organism. The following are some crucial cell functions:
Provide Structure and Support
Cells are the building blocks of all forms of life and therefore serve as all species’ structural foundation. The primary elements that serve to support and structure the organism are the cell wall and the cell membrane. For instance, the human skin is composed of many cells. In plants, the cells that comprise the vascular bundle (phloem and xylem) give plants turgidity to withstand gravity and environmental elements like strong winds.
Allow Transport of Substances
The cells receive different nutrients to perform various chemical and mechanical activities. Active and passive transport are used to remove the waste materials created during metabolism from the cells. Depending on the concentration gradient, tiny molecules like oxygen and ethanol permeate across the cell membrane (Zeng, 2022). Through active transport, which requires a lot of energy from the cells, complex compounds diffuse across the cell membrane. The last important function performed by cells involve energy generation. To complete different chemical functions such as homeostasis, cells need energy. The processes of photosynthesis and respiration are used to create this energy by the cells in plants and animals respectively.
Conclusion
A cell, as highlighted in this paper, is the basic unit of life in organisms, which is comprised of a wide spectrum of organelles that execute simple and complex biological processes such as homeostasis and reproduction. The study of cell types, characteristics, structure, and functionality aspects highlighted in this paper can help the reader understand how different cellular components corroborate each other to perform specific functions in living organisms.
Reference
Zeng, H. (2022). What is a cell type and how to define it? Cell, 185(15), 2739-2755. Web.