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The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all forms of life. Every cell consists of cytoplasm enclosed within a membrane; many cells contain organelles, each with a specific function. The term comes from the Latin word cellula meaning 'small room'. Most cells are only visible under a microscope.
All animals are composed of cells, surrounded by a characteristic extracellular matrix composed of collagen and elastic glycoproteins. [23] During development, the animal extracellular matrix forms a relatively flexible framework upon which cells can move about and be reorganised, making the formation of complex structures possible.
Appearance. Cell physiology is the biological study of the activities that take place in a cell to keep it alive. The term physiology refers to normal functions in a living organism. [ 1 ] Animal cells, plant cells and microorganism cells show similarities in their functions even though they vary in structure. [ 2 ][page needed]
Anatomical terminology. [ edit on Wikidata] Gap junctions are membrane channels between adjacent cells that allow the direct exchange of cytoplasmic substances. [ 1 ] Substances exchanged include small molecules, substrates, and metabolites. [ 1 ] Gap junctions were first described as close appositions as other tight junctions, but following ...
Collagen (/ ˈkɒlədʒən /) is the main structural protein in the extracellular matrix of a body's various connective tissues. As the main component of connective tissue, it is the most abundant protein in mammals. [1] 25% to 35% of a mammalian body's protein content is collagen.
Animal cell structure. Because animal cells [6] do not have cell walls to protect them like plant cells, they require other specialized structures to sustain external mechanical forces. All animal cells are encased within a cell membrane made of a thin lipid bilayer that protects the cell from exposure to the outside environment.
The cell is the fundamental unit of structure and function in all living organisms. [14] The activity of an organism depends on the total activity of independent cells. [15] Energy flow (metabolism and biochemistry) occurs within cells. Cells contain DNA which is found specifically in the chromosome and RNA found in the cell nucleus and ...
In cell biology, the centrosome (Latin centrum 'center' + Greek sōma 'body') (archaically cytocentre [1]) is an organelle that serves as the main microtubule organizing center (MTOC) of the animal cell, as well as a regulator of cell-cycle progression. The centrosome provides structure for the cell. The centrosome is thought to have evolved ...