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What Is A Cell - MedlinePlus Genetics

This document provides an overview of cells, which are the basic building blocks that make up all living things. It describes the major parts of human cells, including the nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, and plasma membrane. Each part performs specialized functions that allow the cell to carry out tasks like processing molecules, transporting materials, and storing genetic information. The document also lists additional resources for learning more about cells and their structures.

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waqar ahmad
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149 views3 pages

What Is A Cell - MedlinePlus Genetics

This document provides an overview of cells, which are the basic building blocks that make up all living things. It describes the major parts of human cells, including the nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, and plasma membrane. Each part performs specialized functions that allow the cell to carry out tasks like processing molecules, transporting materials, and storing genetic information. The document also lists additional resources for learning more about cells and their structures.

Uploaded by

waqar ahmad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Cells and DNA
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What is a cell?

URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/basics/cell/

What is a cell?
From Genetics Home Reference. Learn more [https://medlineplus.gov/about/general/genetics/newhome/]

Cells are the basic building blocks of all living things. The human body is composed of trillions of cells. They provide
structure for the body, take in nutrients from food, convert those nutrients into energy, and carry out specialized
functions. Cells also contain the body’s hereditary material and can make copies of themselves.

Cells have many parts, each with a different function. Some of these parts, called organelles, are specialized
structures that perform certain tasks within the cell. Human cells contain the following major parts, listed in
alphabetical order:

Cytoplasm
Within cells, the cytoplasm is made up of a jelly-like fluid (called the cytosol) and other structures that surround the
nucleus.

Cytoskeleton
The cytoskeleton is a network of long fibers that make up the cell’s structural framework. The cytoskeleton has
several critical functions, including determining cell shape, participating in cell division, and allowing cells to move.
It also provides a track-like system that directs the movement of organelles and other substances within cells.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)


This organelle helps process molecules created by the cell. The endoplasmic reticulum also transports these
molecules to their specific destinations either inside or outside the cell.

Golgi apparatus
The Golgi apparatus packages molecules processed by the endoplasmic reticulum to be transported out of the cell.

Lysosomes and peroxisomes


These organelles are the recycling center of the cell. They digest foreign bacteria that invade the cell, rid the cell of
toxic substances, and recycle worn-out cell components.

Mitochondria
Mitochondria are complex organelles that convert energy from food into a form that the cell can use. They have
their own genetic material, separate from the DNA in the nucleus, and can make copies of themselves.

Nucleus
The nucleus serves as the cell’s command center, sending directions to the cell to grow, mature, divide, or die. It also
houses DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), the cell’s hereditary material. The nucleus is surrounded by a membrane called
the nuclear envelope, which protects the DNA and separates the nucleus from the rest of the cell.

Plasma membrane
The plasma membrane is the outer lining of the cell. It separates the cell from its environment and allows materials
to enter and leave the cell.

Ribosomes
Ribosomes are organelles that process the cell’s genetic instructions to create proteins. These organelles can float
freely in the cytoplasm or be connected to the endoplasmic reticulum (see above).

For more information about cells:

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences has a science education booklet about cells called Inside
the Cell [https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/Booklets/Inside-the-Cell/Pages/Home.aspx] .

The National Human Genome Research Institute's Talking Glossary [https://www.genome.gov/genetics-


glossary/Cell] provides a definition of a cell as well as an illustration and video.

The Genetic Science Learning Center at the University of Utah offers an interactive introduction to cells
[https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/cells/insideacell/] and their many functions.

Arizona State University's "Ask a Biologist" provides a description and illustration of each of the cell’s organelles
[https://askabiologist.asu.edu/cell-parts] .

Queen Mary University of London allows you to explore a 3-D cell and its parts
[https://www.centreofthecell.org/learn-play/games/explore-a-cell/] . 

Topics in the Cells and DNA chapter


What is a cell?

What is DNA? [https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/basics/dna/]

What is a gene? [https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/basics/gene/]


What is a chromosome? [https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/basics/chromosome/]

How many chromosomes do people have?


[https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/basics/howmanychromosomes/]

What is noncoding DNA? [https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/basics/noncodingdna/]

Other chapters in Help Me Understand Genetics [https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/]

Genetics Home Reference has merged with MedlinePlus. Genetics Home


Reference content now can be found in the "Genetics" section of
MedlinePlus. Learn more
[https://medlineplus.gov/about/general/genetics/newhome/]

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a
health care provider if you have questions about your health.

U.S. National Library of Medicine


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Page last updated on 22 February 2021
Page last reviewed: 22 February 2021

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