Cells Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Cells?

Cells are the basic units of life and they make up all living organisms. All cells share certain common characteristics, such as a cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm and ribosomes. Cells come in many different shapes and sizes depending on their function within an organism. For example, nerve cells are long so they can transmit messages quickly while red blood cells are disk shaped to maximize their surface area for carrying oxygen around the body. Cells also contain organelles which have specific functions within them. For example mitochondria provide energy for the cell by using oxygen to break down nutrients into energy needed for processes such as reproduction. Chloroplasts capture light energy from the sun and use it to create food for plants using photosynthesis. Cells divide through a process called mitosis where one parent cell divides into two daughter cells that have identical genetic material as their parents. This is important in order for growth, repair and replacement of old or damaged cells throughout our lifetime. In addition, this process allows us to reproduce sexually by creating sperm and egg cells with half of our genetic information each so when combined together they form a new individual with a unique set of genes inherited from both parents. The study of cells has been instrumental in gaining greater understanding about how life works at its most fundamental level which helps us understand more about health issues such as cancer which involve changes occurring in cellular structure or behaviour due to mutations in DNA caused by environmental factors or lifestyle choices made over time . It also provides insight into therapies that aim to target these changes without harming healthy tissue surrounding them . In conclusion ,cells are incredibly complex yet fascinating structures that play an essential role in sustaining life on earth . They serve many diverse roles depending on their type making them truly extraordinary entities worthy of further exploration .