The Building Blocks of Life

All living things are made of cells, the smallest unit of life. Cells come in two main types: prokaryotic (like bacteria) and eukaryotic (like plants and animals). Inside cells, specialized structures called organelles perform different functions to keep the cell alive.

Key Organelles

• Nucleus: Contains genetic material (DNA) and controls cell activities.
• Mitochondria: The "powerhouse" of the cell, where energy (ATP) is made.
• Ribosomes: Make proteins by reading instructions from DNA.
• Cell Membrane: Controls what enters and leaves the cell.

Why Does This Matter?

Understanding how cells work helps us grasp everything from how our bodies heal to how diseases like cancer develop. Many medicines target specific cell functions to treat illnesses.

Real-World Connections

• Biotechnology uses living cells to produce insulin for diabetes treatment.
• Learning about cell membranes helps in designing targeted drug delivery systems.