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Cell Definition

A cell is the basic unit of all living things. For example, humans are multicellular organisms.

View Lesson on Plant & Animal Cells
Grades 6-8 VideoPlant & Animal Cells player orange
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Plant & Animal Cells

LESSON MATERIALSmove

Fun Facts

  • Cells can be seen with a light microscope up to 1,000 times magnification.
  • An amoeba is an example of a unicellular organism.
  • Skin cells are flat and packed closely together, while nerve cells have finger like projections that help them send signals.

Why Do We Need To Know About Cell

Learning about cells helps us understand why we get sick and how we can find cures. Scientists look at cells to figure out what causes diseases, which leads to new treatments that can save people’s lives. This shows how important studying cells is for making new medical discoveries.

Knowing about cell biology is not just good for medicine, but it also helps in farming by making crops grow better. Plus, it’s useful in creating new ways to make food, like making meat without needing to farm animals. This shows that studying cells is very important for solving different problems around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a unicellular organism and a multicellular organism?
Single celled organisms are made up of only one cell. An amoeba is an example of a unicellular organism. Multicellular organisms are made up of more than one cell. People, dogs and plants are all examples of multicellular organisms.
Why is the mitochondria of a cell important?
The mitochondria is where sugar is converted into energy. The cell needs energy in order to carry out its everyday functions.
What function does a cell wall serve for a plant?
The cell wall gives a plant cell support and structure allowing the plant to stand upright. This is important so that the plant can get sunlight in order to do photosynthesis.
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