What is a cell?

In a nutshell

A cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms. It is the smallest unit that can be classified as a living thing and serves as the building block of all living organisms.

Cells can exist as single-celled organisms such as bacteria or they can combine to make up multi-cellular organisms like animals and plants.

The components of a cell

• Cell membrane: regulates the movement of substances into and out of the cell.
• Nucleus: contains the cell’s genetic material.
• Endoplasmic reticulum
• Golgi apparatus
• Mitochondria: produces energy
• Ribosomes: protein synthesis