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Cell Biology : An Introduction Of The Cell

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Cell Biology

An introduction to the cell

The cell is the smallest unit able to sustain life, and they are often referred to as the building blocks of life. There are two primary types of cell, which are categorized according to the way their genetic material is packaged, rather than size or shape. These are:
1. Prokaryote cells - bacteria and archeans. They are single celled organisms, where the DNA is not separate from the cytoplasm. These prokaryote cells formed the earliest and most primitive life on earth.
2. Eukaryotic cells - found in animals, plants and fungi. In eukaryotic cells, the DNA is sectioned off from the cytoplasm in its own membrane compartment called the nucleus.
Cells share many common features but have adapted over billions of years in a wide array of environments, to provide a variety of functional roles.

The structures and functions of a cell.

In order for cells and organisms to “live” they need to perform certain tasks such as produce energy through respiration, send messages, maintenance and reproduction. To enable the cell to do so, it contains within small structures called organelles, each organelle is different and carries out a specific function. Pic 1: (biology.about.com)
The

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