Cell in a nutshell

My next post will relate to a basic structural unit of the human body, namely the cell.

"About 200 different types of cells compose your body. Each cell is a living structural and functional unit that is enclosed by a membrane. All cells arise from existing cells by the process of cell division, in which one cell divides into two new cells. In your body, different types of cells fulfill unique roles that support homeostasis and contribute to the many functional capabilities of the human organism.

Fruits and vegetables contain important compounds, known as phytochemicals (literally, "plant chemicals"), which help to keep cells healthy. Some phytochemicals block other chemicals that can cause damage to cells. Others enhance your body's production of enzymes that render potentially carcinogenic substances harmless. For instance, the allyl sulfides in garlic and onions as well as the sulforaphane in broccoli , cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables would perform this second function.

IN A NUTSHELL - using as few words as possible

NAMELY - that is to say

ENCLOSED BY - surrounded by

TO ARISE - to happen

CELL DIVISION - a cell splits into two new cells

TO FULFILL - to make happen

HOMEOSTASIS - the state of internal balance

A COMPOUND - a chemical that combines two or more elements

A PHYTOCHEMICAL - a chemical that can be found in plants

TO RENDER - to cause

CARCINOGENIC - used to refer to a substance that causes cancer

FOR INSTANCE - for example

CRUCIFEROUS - relating to plants of the cabbage family

We can divide a cell into three main parts: the plasma membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus.

The plasma membrane forms a cell's flexible outer surface, separating the cell's internal environment (inside the cell) from its external environment (outside the cell). It regulates the flow of materials into and out of a cell to maintain the appropriate environment for normal cellular activities. The plasma membrane also plays a key role in communication among the cells and between the cells and their external environment.

The cytoplasm consists of all the cellular contents between the plasma membrane and the nucleus. Cytoplasm can be divided into two components: cytosol and organelles. Cytosol is the liquid portion of cytoplasm that consists mostly of water plus dissolved solutes and suspended particles. It is also called intracellular fluid. Within the cytosol are several different types of organelles, each of which has a characteristic structure and specific function:

1. Centrosome

2. Cilia and Flagella - cilia move fluids over a cell's surface; a flagellum moves an entire cell

3. Ribosomes - protein synthesis

4. Endoplasmic reticulum (rough ER and smooth ER)

5. Golgi Complex

6. Lysosomes

7. Peroxisomes

8. Proteasomes

9. Mitochondria

The nucleus is the largest organelle of a cell. It acts as the control center for a cell because it contains the genes, which control cellular structure and most cellular activities."

THE PLASMA MEMBRANE = THE CELL MEMBRANE

A NUCLEUS (pl NUCLEI) - the largest organelle present in most eukaryotic cells containing the genetic material

THE CONTENTS (pl) - everything that is contained within something

AN ORGANELLE - any structure that has a particular purpose inside a living cell

DISSOLVED - to be absorbed by a liquid

A SOLUTE - a substance that has been dissolved in another substance

TO SUSPEND - to hang or float in sth

INTRACELLULAR - happening inside a cell

AN ORGANELLE - any structure that has a particular purpose inside a living cell

A CILIUM (pl CILIA) - hairs on the surface of a cell that move regularly and keep the surrounding liquid moving around it

A FLAGELLUM (pl FLAGELLA) - a tail used for movement by some cells

ROUGH - not even