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Cells are the basis of life—the basic structural unit of living things. Molecules such as
water and amino acids are not alive but cells are! All life is comprised of cells of one
type or another.
In this section of the course, you will learn about the cell and all the parts that make it
functional. You will also focus on the cell membrane, which is the structure that
surrounds the cell and separates its internal environment from the external environment.
It is a critical component because it controls what can enter and exit the cell. This
section will also describe how cells reproduce to maintain homeostasis.
Modern cell theorists assert that all functions essential to life occur within the cell; and
that, during cell division, the cell contains and transmits to the next generation the
information necessary to conduct and regulate cell functioning.
Let’s begin our study of the cell by investigating the basic anatomy of an animal cell.
Each cell consists of three components shown in the image above.
Within the body, cells represent a level of organization between organelles and tissues.
Organelles in turn are comprised of specialized macromolecules and tissues are
collections of specialized cells. Brain, kidney, liver, muscle and lung tissues differ from
each other because of the structure and function of their constituent cells. Thus, the
cells comprising each tissue type vary in shape, size and interior structure to permit
their specific physiological function within the tissue.One important concept to keep in
mind as you study anatomy and physiology is that structure determines function. When
you look at the shape of a cell, it gives you a clue as to it’s function.