The Cell Chronicles - What Are Cells?
By: Arman Momeni
The human body is a beautiful instrument. It is so precise, knowledgeable, and curious; however, it is not just a culmination of luck and random assortment, the human body is intricately engineered at the molecular level. Our bodies contain cells, which act as the building blocks to our explicit, and pre-emptive functions. The human body contains more than 30 trillion cells, which means that we pertain more cells than there are stars in the galaxy! However, despite their instrumental function, cells are often misunderstood and disregarded. In this article, The Cell Chronicles, we will break down the general functions of cells and explain some of the different types of cells that can be found within the human body.
Functions of a Cell:
Our bodies cannot function without cells, plain and simple. As a matter of fact, no living thing can function without at least a singular cell. Living organisms, whether that is a plant, a fungus, a bacterium, a ladybug, or a regular human being, all comprise of the functional units and structural blueprints that are cells. Cells contain genetic material and have several smaller components (organelles) that perform various functions, which are essential for life. Listed below are just some of the functions of a cell:
1. Provide structure
2. Absorb nutrients from food
3. Produce energy
4. Facilitate growth
5. Transport molecules
6. Interbody communication
7. Break down and construct molecules
8. Defend the human body from disease
9. Store energy and nutrients
10. Create tissue and organs
11. Perform photosynthesis (ONLY in plants)
Mitosis:
Cells, although living things, don’t behave like humans when examined on a singular scale. Therefore, the way that a cell reproduces involves an asexual process known as mitosis or cell division. In simple terms, mitosis is when a singular cell divides/replicates into two identical cells, which are called daughter cells. Mitosis helps our bodies grow, regenerate when hurt, and replace worn out cells, ensuring that the human body is always filled with fresh and new cells. Mitosis consists of five phases: Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase + Cytokinesis, but the main takeaway should be that a singular cell divides to form two exact replicas, which contain the genetic material of the original cell.
Stem Cells:
Now, let’s discuss some of the different types of cells. One of the most relevant and currently prominent types of cells are stem cells. Stem cells, unlike most other cells, are in a pluripotent state and don’t have a specific function yet. They divide (through mitosis) to create daughter cells and are able to specialize to carry out a more specific function, such as becoming a brain cell or a bone cell. Think of stem cells as the children of the cell world, while indisputably useful, they still have the potential and opportunity to pursue anything they want once they grow and develop. Stem cells are also crucial because they can help humans understand more about why certain diseases develop and can also act as a replacement for certain cells that are affected by disease.
Blood Cells:
Blood contains several types of cells, such as red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells. Arguably the most important blood cells are the red and white blood cells. Red blood cells function to carry fresh oxygen throughout the body, which poses a crucial function to our existence, because without oxygen, we would not be able to live. The specific protein within red blood cells that carries oxygen is hemoglobin. Red blood cells also play a critical role in removing carbon dioxide from blood and circulating it back to the lungs for expiration (breathing out). On the other hand, white blood cells have a completely different function. As a part of the immune system, white blood cells help the body fight infections and other diseases that it may encounter.
Brain Cells:
There are two main types of brain cells: glia and neurons. There are approximately 100 billion neurons in the human body, and they are the communicator cells in the brain. Neurons send and receive both electrical and chemical signals, which allow us to think, move, feel, and understand the surrounding world. On the other hand, glia cells are generally known for holding neurons in place (AKA brain glue). However, they are also able to participate in using chemical signals to help strengthen and refine the messages that are being transmitted throughout the human body.
Works Cited:
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, March 19). Answers to your questions about Stem Cell Research. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-marrow-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/art-20048117
NCI Dictionary of Cancer terms. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/white-blood-cell#
Penttila, N. (2023, May 30). Cells of the brain. Dana Foundation. https://dana.org/article/cells-of-the-brain/#:~:text=The%20most%20common%20brain%20cells,necessary%20for%20proper%20brain%20function.
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). What is a cell?: Medlineplus Genetics. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/basics/cell/#:~:text=The%20human%20body%20is%20composed,can%20make%20copies%20of%20themselves.
Your Genome. (Sanger. (2021, July 21). What is mitosis?. yourgenome · Science website. https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-mitosis/
What are red blood cells?. What Are Red Blood Cells? - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center. (n.d.). https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentID=34&ContentTypeID=160
