Cell physiology is the branch of biology that explores the functions and activities of cells, the fundamental units of life. It delves into how cells perform essential processes such as metabolism, growth, division, and response to stimuli. This field examines various aspects of cellular function, ...
, Introduction
• All living creatures are made of CELLS _ small
membrane bound units filled with concentrated aqueous
solution of chemicals and endowed with extraordinary
ability to create copies of themselves by growing and
dividing in two.
• The simplest forms of life are solitary cells.
• Higher organisms, such as mammals, are communities of
cells derived by growth and division from a single founder
cell (a doctrine sometimes referred to as cell theory).
• Cells, therefore, are fundamental units of life, and it is to
cell biology that we must turn for an answer to the
question of what life is and how it works.
, Function of the cell
• A. Serves as the structural building block to form tissues
and organs
• B. Each cell is functionally independent- it can live on its
own under the right conditions:
1. it can define its boundaries and protect itself from
external changes causing internal changes
2. it can use sugars to derive energy for different
processes which keep it alive
3. it contains all the information required for
replicating itself and interacting with other cells in order to
produce a multicellular organism
4. It is even possible to reproduce the entire
organism from almost any single cell of the organism
, Types of cells
• A. Prokaryotic cells- eg. bacteria
1. very simple-there are no organelles and most
everything functions in the cytoplasm
• B. Eukaryotic cells
1. all contain the organelles that sub-
compartmentalize the cell
2. includes unicellular algae and protists (e.g.
amoeba) that live alone or in colonies
3. includes multi-cellular organisms - animals,
plants, fungi - where cells work together
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller DaniBrezy54. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $11.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
