The Eukaryotic Cell: Essentials Everyone Should Know

We begin our journey through the body by taking a look at one of the most fundamental topics in Biology, the cell. We will take a closer look at what a cell is made up of in order to fully appreciate the functionality and purpose of them. The cell is made up of many different things that we call organelles. These organelles are inside the cell and contain different functions. 

What are cells? 

Eukaryotic cells are found in mammals like yourself. Cells are the basic structures that combine to form specific tissues in the body, and these tissues will eventually form organs.

Functions of cells:

Cells are important in every process that takes place in your body- metabolism, communication, cell signaling, energy production, protection from harmful invaders, the list is endless. The important thing to understand is that cells specialize in certain functions depending on where in the body they are located. The cells making up your skin for example are made up of many epithelial cells. Other epithelial cells can line an organ that has contact with an outside environment.

Parts of cells:

All eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus that is enclosed by a nuclear membrane or envelope. The nucleus is the most important part of a cell because it contains all of your DNA and RNA, and other important genetic information. The nuclear membrane encloses the nucleus in order to protect all of that important information located inside of it by choosing what goes in and what goes out, this is called selective permeability.

Also located inside the cell is the Mitochondria, this is the powerhouse of the cell and functions to make energy in the form of ATP for various metabolic processes. An interesting fact about the Mitochondria is that you get EVERY mitochondrion in your body from your mother! How special of a gift!

The Golgi Apparatus is the packing and distributing center of your cell, think of this one as the warehouse for UPS, it sorts and packages everything that is about to get kicked out into the world. It does this by using secretory vesicles.

The Endoplasmic Reticulum or E.R.  can be smooth or rough. Rough E.R. functions to make proteins using the Ribosome studs that are located on the surface. Smooth E.R. functions in the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, among other things.

Centrioles are important for structure,  and they are made up of microtubules. Microfilaments are another important cytoskeletal component that help in cellular specializations like muscle movement.

Other organelles are lysosomes, glycogen particles and polyribosomes. Lysosomes are important because they function in programmed cell death by lysing and releasing all the chemicals inside. This process is called Apoptosis.

So there you have it! These are the fundamentals that everyone should know!

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