Basic properties of a Cell

The cell is the structural, functional, and biological unit of all organisms. It is an
autonomous self-replicating unit that may exist as an independent functional unit of life
(as in the case of unicellular organism), or as sub-unit in a multicellular organism (such
as in plants and animals) that is specialized into carrying out particular functions towards
the cause of the organism as a whole.
There are three basic components of every cell: an outer membrane, a central nuclear
region, and the cytoplasm in between. These elements don't make much sense if you don't
know why they are important to the cell.
The cell has a membrane. The membrane surrounds the cell, isolating it from the outside.
The membrane is complex and can contain many channels that allow the cell to
communicate with the environment through complicated chemical interactions that
happen on the scale of a few molecules at a time. The membrane also regulates the in-
and-out flow of certain materials, allowing certain chemicals in (such as food) or out
(such as waste), but blocking others.
Even the simplest cells have a nuclear region. Think of this region as a control center.
The nuclear region is the social director of the cell. It basically tells the cell what to do
and when to do it. These orders are handed down by the nucleus in the form of chemical
reactions that take place in the cell.
The cytoplasm is a semifluid matrix that occupies the volume between the nuclear region
and the cell membrane. Think of the cytoplasm as the cream filling. The cytoplasm,
however, has a more important function: it contains the chemical wealth of the cell. The
sugars, amino acids, and proteins that are used to carry out the chemical reactions of the
cell are housed within the cytoplasm. All cells share this basic architecture.
Cells have the following fundamental properties:
Cells are highly complex and organized
In the formation of a cell, atoms are organized into small size molecules which are further
organized to giant polymers. Different types of giant polymers are organized to
complexes that are organized to sub-cellular organelles and finally into cells. The
organelles in a cell have a particular shape and location. For example, DNA is always
found in the nucleus. It is found in the same place in almost every species.
The highly complex nature of the cell is necessary for the survival of organisms. Many
important activities take place inside a cell, which would not have been possible if the
cell were simple in structure. There are many specialized cell organelles that do their
special work.
Cells possess a genetic program and the means to use it
Cells contain genetic material which is usually DNA. The cell is built according to the
information present in the DNA. The cells have necessary enzymes and factors which are
needed to decode the DNA. They convert the genetic material into mRNA which is later
converted into proteins.
The same genetic material is passed onto their offspring.
Cells are capable of producing more of themselves
Just as individual organisms are generated by reproduction, so too are individual cells.
Cells reproduce by division, a process in which the contents of a “mother” cell are
distributed into two “daughter” cells. Prior to division, the genetic material is faithfully
duplicated, and each daughter cell receives a complete and equal share of genetic
information.

Cells acquire and utilize energy

Every biological process requires the input of energy. Virtually all of the energy utilized
by life on the Earth’s surface arrives in the form of electromagnetic radiation from the
sun. The energy of light is trapped by light-absorbing pigments present in the
membranes of photosynthetic cells of plants. Light energy is converted by
photosynthesis into chemical energy that is stored in energy-rich carbohydrates.
Cells carry out a variety of chemical reactions
Cells are capable of carrying out many different kinds of reactions. These reactions are
used to build different proteins, organelles, and other important compounds. If a cell is
not able to perform a specific vital pathway, it will try to create an alternative pathway.
If an alternative pathway is not found, it will die.
Cells engage in numerous mechanical activities
Materials are transported from place to place; structures are assembled and then rapidly
disassembled, and, in many cases, the entire cell moves itself from one site to another.
Cells are able to respond to stimuli
Most cells are covered with receptors that interact with substances in the environment in
highly specific ways. Cells possess receptors to hormones, growth factors, and
extracellular materials, as well as to substances on the surfaces of other cells. A cell’s
receptors provide pathways through which external agents can evoke specific responses
in target cells. Cells may respond to specific stimuli by altering their metabolic activities,
moving from one place to another, or even committing suicide.
Cells are capable of self-regulation
A cell knows when to switch off a set of genes. It can also correct mistakes done in the
replication of DNA.