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CELL-BASIC UNIT OF LIFE

Structure and Functions of a cell
Cells are important elements of living. Be it humans or plants or animals, every living organism
is composed of cells. They are the structural and functional unit of living.
Every organ in our body performs a variety of different functions such as digestion, assimilation,
and absorption. Similarly, in the plants too, there are different organs of the plant which
performs specialized or specific functions. For instance, the roots of the plants help in the
absorption of minerals and water.
In our body and in the body of every living organism, every organ is composed of smaller parts
known as tissues. A tissue is a group of like cells that perform a specific function.

Parts of a Cell

The primary components of the cell are – cell membrane, nucleus, and cytoplasm.

Cell Membrane

One of the most important parts of the cell is the cell membrane. The cell membrane acts as
a semi-permeable barrier. It allows only a few molecules across it and fences the majority
of organically produced chemicals inside the cell.
The nucleus and cytoplasm are enclosed within the cell membrane that is also known as the
plasma membrane. It works to separate cells from one another and also the cell from the
surrounding medium. The plasma membrane is porous and allows the movements of materials
or substances both inward and outward.
Cell membrane offers shape and rigidity to the cell. In the case of the plant cells, besides the cell
membrane, there is also an outer thick layer that is known as the cell wall. This additional layer
which surrounds the cell membrane is necessary for offering the requisite protection to the
plants.
Cytoplasm
Another important part of the cell is the cytoplasm. It is a jelly-like substance that is present
between the nucleus and the cell membrane. There are a number of other components or
organelles of the cell that can be found in the cytoplasm. These are mitochondria, Golgi bodies,
ribosomes, etc.
Nucleus
The nucleus is the most important component of the living cell. It is located in the centre of the
cell and is usually spherical in shape. You can stain the nucleus and see it clearly by using a
microscope. The nucleus is separated from the cytoplasm by a membrane known as the nuclear
membrane. This membrane is also porous and allows the moment of materials between the
cytoplasm and the inside of the nucleus.
If you have a microscope of a higher magnification, you can see a smaller spherical body found
in the nucleus. This is the nucleolus. Besides the nucleolus, the nucleus also has several thread-
like structures known as the chromosomes. The chromosomes carry genes and support in
transfer or inheritance of characters from the parents to the offspring. You can think of genes as
CD or memory stick that is used to carry data or music from one computer to another. In the
similar fashion, genes carry genetic codes that are responsible for the unique physical
characteristics of an animal or a plant.

Functions of a Cell
Six most vital functions performed by a cell are:
Structure and Support
You know a house is made of bricks. Similarly, an organism is made up of cells. In general
all cells generally provide the structural basis of all organisms.
Growth
In complex organisms such as humans, the tissues grow by simple multiplication of cells.
Hence, cells are responsible for the growth of the organism. The entire thing takes place via a
process of mitosis.
Transport
Cells import the nutrients that are used in the different chemical process which take place inside
them. As a result of these processes, a waste product is produced. Cells then work to get rid of
this waste. In this manner, the small molecules like oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ethanol pass
through the cell membrane by diffusion. This method is known as passive transport. On the
other hand, the larger molecules like the proteins and polysaccharides, go in and out of the cell
via active transport.
Energy Production
Organisms need energy to perform different chemical reactions. In plants, the energy comes
from the process of photosynthesis while in the animals the energy comes via respiration.
Metabolism
Cell is responsible for metabolism that includes all the chemical reactions that take place inside
an organism to keep it alive.
Reproduction
A cell helps in reproduction by the processes of mitosis (in more evolved organisms) and
meiosis.

Differences between Plant Cells and Animal Cells

There are some differences between a plant and animal cell structure and functions. Some of the
notable differences are;
 The plant cells have a cell wall which surrounds the cell membrane. On the other hand,
the animal cells only have a cell membrane.
 In plant cells, there are chloroplasts which are helpful in photosynthesis.
 In the plant cells, there is a larger vacuole (it’s like a fluid sack) in comparison to the
animal cells.
 The cells in the plants are more structured because of the presence of a cell wall. It forms
a lattice-like structure which helps with rigidness. The animal cells are slightly irregular
in shape.
Stem cells:

Stem cells are a special type of cells that have two important properties. They are able to
make more cells like themselves. That is, they self-renew. And they can become other cells
that do different things in a process known as differentiation. Stem cells are found in almost
all tissues of the body. And they are needed for the maintenance of tissue as well as for repair
after injury.

Depending on where the stem cells are, they can develop into different tissues. For example,
hematopoietic stem cells reside in the bone marrow and can produce all the cells that function
in the blood. Stem cells also can become brain cells, heart muscle cells, bone cells or other
cell types.

There are various types of stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are the most versatile since they
can develop into all the cells of the developing fetus. The majority of stem cells in the body
have fewer abilities to give rise to cells and may only help maintain and repair the tissues and
organs in which they reside.

No other cell in the body has the natural ability to generate new cell types.

Applications of stem cells:

 Increase understanding of how diseases occur. By watching stem cells mature into
cells in bones, heart muscle, nerves, and other organs and tissue, researchers may better
understand how diseases and conditions develop.
 Generate healthy cells to replace cells affected by disease (regenerative
medicine). Stem cells can be guided into becoming specific cells that can be used in
people to regenerate and repair tissues that have been damaged or affected by disease.
People who might benefit from stem cell therapies include those with leukemia, Hodgkin
disease, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and some solid tumor cancers. Stem cell therapies also
might benefit people who have aplastic anemia, immunodeficiencies and inherited
conditions of metabolism.
Stem cells are being studied to treat type 1 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis, heart failure, osteoarthritis and other conditions.
Stem cells may have the potential to be grown to become new tissue for use in transplant
and regenerative medicine. Researchers continue to advance the knowledge on stem cells
and their applications in transplant and regenerative medicine.
 Test new drugs for safety and effectiveness. Before giving drugs in development to
people, researchers can use some types of stem cells to test the drugs for safety and
quality. This type of testing may help assess drugs in development for toxicity to the
heart.