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cell

13 ENTRIES FOUND:
  1. cell (noun)
  2. apoptosis (noun)
  3. B cell (noun)
  4. erythrocyte (noun)
  5. fuel cell (noun)
  6. leukocyte (noun)
  7. neuron (noun)
  8. photocell (noun)
  9. sickle-cell anemia (noun)
  10. solar cell (noun)
  11. stem cell (noun)
  12. T cell (noun)
  13. renal cell carcinoma

cell

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Principal structures of an animal cell—© Merriam-Webster Inc.

In biology, the basic unit of which all living things are composed; the smallest structural unit of living matter that is able to function independently. A single cell can be a complete organism in itself, as in bacteria and protozoans. Groups of specialized cells are organized into tissues and organs in multicellular organisms such as higher plants and animals. There are two distinct types of cells: prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells. Though the structures of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells differ (see prokaryote, eukaryote), their molecular compositions and activities are very similar. The chief molecules in cells are nucleic acids, proteins, and polysaccharides. A cell is bounded by a membrane that enables it to exchange certain materials with its surroundings. In plant cells, a rigid cell wall encloses this membrane.

This entry comes from Encyclopædia Britannica Concise.
For the full entry on cell, visit Britannica.com.

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