Structural And Biological Components Of Cell Biology: Notes On Cells

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Cell Biology

Cells are the basic structural and functional unit for all living organisms. They vary in size but are compartments that hold all of the biological components that are required to keep an organism alive and functioning correctly. Some organisms are singled cells such as bacteria, more complex forms like the human body are multi cellular. Cells are the smallest unit of life that can replicate independently.
Levels of Organization
Everything in the world (all matter) starts as an atom; this is the beginning of the levels of organisation, which form organisms. These levels are:
• Atom – The smallest building block of life made up of protons, electrons and neutrons.
• Molecule or Compound – These are formed when a number of atoms …show more content…

It is made up of biological molecules, lipids and proteins which are involved in may functions including cellular communication and transport of materials in and out of the cell.
It is made up of double layer known as a bilayer of phospholipid molecules and also contains protein molecules. The phospholipid molecules are on the internal and external sides of the cell membrane with tails touching. They have hydrophilic heads (water-loving) on the outside and then there hydrophobic tails touching. This seals the membrane making it impermeable to water soluble molecules.
To survive the cell needs materials to be able to enter and exit. Some gases and small ions can pass through the bilayer but for larger molecules the use of proteins is needed. There are different types including intrinsic proteins which are right through the membrane and then there are others which are only found on the internal or external surface of the membrane these are called extrinsic proteins. The membrane is formed in this way as to protect the cell from the outside environment and so it contains the right about of everything it needs to function. These proteins allow substances to pass across the surface membrane in a number of different ways. These process can be passive or active, examples of these processes

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