What Is a Cell?
Trees in a forest, fish in a river, horseflies on a farm, worms in the soil — all these plants and animals are made of the building blocks we call cells. Like these examples, many living things consist of huge numbers of cells working in harmony with one another.
However, other forms of life are composed of only a single cell, such as the many species of bacteria and protozoa. Cells, whether living on their own or as part of a multicellular organism, are usually too small to be seen without a light microscope.
However, other forms of life are composed of only a single cell, such as the many species of bacteria and protozoa. Cells, whether living on their own or as part of a multicellular organism, are usually too small to be seen without a light microscope.
Definitions;
The cell (from Latin cella, meaning "small room") is the basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all known living organisms.
A cell is the smallest unit of life that can replicate independently, and cells are often called the "building blocks of life".
The study of cells is called cell biology (cytology).
Watch the video below to learn more.
Assessment quiz:
2. What is an organelle? Do you know any examples?
3. Fill in the Venn diagram on the similarities and differences between the plant and animal cell.
4. State the modern Cell Theory
6. Scientists: Name the scientists described below.
- Discovered cells by observing cork under a microscope: _______________________________
- First to observe living cells under a microscope: _______________________________
- Discovered all animals are made of cells: _______________________________
- Discovered all plants are made of cells: _______________________________
- Discovered all cells come from pre-existing cells: __________________________
