We have all heard about the microscopic organism that represents the building blocks of all living things and, in a meticulous way, contains all the fundamental molecules of life: the CELL. Every organism is composed of cells, as they come in different forms and have various functions, depending on their location in the animal body structure, the configuration of plants, fungi or bacteria.
So, in order for us to comprehend the intricate and perplexing mechanism of cells, let’s delve into some fascinating facts about cells:
· There are 2 different types of cells in the world; prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The former are small and simple structured organisms, that for the most part compose bacteria, whereas the ladder are complex and present a nucleus, representing the base structure of most living things such as animals, plants and fungi.
· According to researchers, it is believed that prokaryotes were the first form of life on Earth, and that approximately 2.7 billion years ago the first eukaryotic cell developed from the basic prokaryotes.
· Cellular respiration is also different between the 2 types of cells. Lower organisms such as bacteria or yeasts breathe anaerobically, in the absence of oxygen and all higher organisms breathe aerobically, in the presence of oxygen. One similarity that can be noted is that both processes begin from the splitting of glucose molecules, also known as a process called glycolysis.
· Although the number is hardly estimated, scientists think that the human body is composed of around 37.2 trillion cells! That number of cells is more than 4625 times the total world population of microscopic organisms that create each and every one of us!
· Cells undergo an astounding process called cell division during which a parent cell creates 2 daughter cells through the replication of DNA, segregation of the replicated chromosomes into 2 sets and, lastly, the division. This process is essential for growth, repair, renewal and reproduction in all organisms.
· The lifespan of cells in the human body differs tremendously. For example, neutrophils, a type of white blood cells, might only live for approximately 2 days, whereas brain cells are thought to have longer lifespans than us! One study from 2013 found that by transplanting neurons from dead mice into young mice, the nervous cells kept all their properties, and, most importantly of all, were still healthy after having lived 2 whole mouse lifespans.
· The human body is composed of roughly 200 varieties of cells, all with specific shapes, structures, functions and placement throughout the physiology and anatomy of the body.
Although these facts do not even come close to describing the incredible diversity, complexity and significance of cells in the realm of biology and life sciences, they have surely helped you broaden your knowledge about cells!
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