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The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all life, enclosed by a selectively permeable plasma membrane.
The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms. It consists of a selectively permeable cell (plasma) membrane that encloses cytoplasm containing genetic material. Most cells are microscopic, and—except for highly specialized types such as red blood cells and gametes—most can replicate and synthesize proteins. Cells can also be motile, and they arose on Earth about four billion years ago. All organisms are grouped into prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Prokaryotes (including bacteria and archaea) are single-celled and lack a membrane-bound nucleus, instead having a nucleoid region for DNA. Eukaryotes have a membrane-bound nucleus and can be single-celled or multicellular; multicellular organisms are made of many different cell types (somatic cells), while gametes are haploid. Eukaryotic cells contain additional membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria (energy), chloroplasts in plants (photosynthesis), and other organelles involved in specialized functions. Cellular life also depends on key processes such as cell division (binary fission in prokaryotes; mitosis and cytokinesis in eukaryotes), DNA replication, signaling, protein targeting, DNA repair, growth and metabolism, protein synthesis (transcription and translation), and motility. Cells can undergo programmed cell death (e.g., apoptosis) or other death pathways, and their origin is linked to the broader origin of life, with cells likely emerging around 4 billion years ago.
The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all life, enclosed by a selectively permeable plasma membrane.
Life is broadly divided into prokaryotes (no membrane-bound nucleus; nucleoid) and eukaryotes (membrane-bound nucleus and organelles).
Cells carry out essential processes including replication/division, signaling, protein synthesis, metabolism, motility, and DNA repair, and they can die via programmed or other pathways.
A theory stating that all organisms are composed of one or more cells, cells are the fundamental unit of structure and function, and all cells arise from pre-existing cells.
A single-celled organism (bacteria or archaea) that lacks a membrane-bound nucleus and typically has DNA in a nucleoid region.
An organism whose cells have a membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles; eukaryotes can be single-celled or multicellular.
The DNA-containing region in prokaryotic cells where genetic material is located without a membrane-bound nucleus.
A selectively permeable boundary made mostly of a lipid bilayer that encloses the cytoplasm and regulates transport and signaling.
The network of membranes in eukaryotic cells (cell membrane and organelle membranes, excluding mitochondria) involved in protein/lipid transport and processing.
A eukaryotic nuclear division process that produces genetically identical daughter nuclei before cytokinesis.
A prokaryotic cell division method in which the cell splits into two daughter cells.
The process by which cells communicate with themselves, other cells, and the environment using ligands, receptors, and signals.
The mechanism that transports proteins to their correct locations within or outside the cell based on information in the protein.
Enzymatic processes that detect and correct DNA damage to maintain genome integrity and prevent harmful mutations.
A programmed form of cell death that is a normal process for removing cells without causing uncontrolled damage.
“Can you explain what "The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all life, enclosed by a selectively permeable plasma membrane." means in simple terms?”