Characteristics of Cells

Following are the various important characteristics of cells:

• Cells provide structure and support to the body of an organism.
• The cell interior is organized into different individual organelles surrounded by a separate membrane.
• The nucleus(major organelle) holds genetic information necessary for reproduction and cell growth.
• Every cell has one nucleus and membrane-bound organelles in the cytoplasm.
• Mitochondria, a double membrane-bound organelle is mainly responsible for the energy transactions vital for the survival of the cell.
• Lysosomes digest unwanted materials in the cell.
• Endoplasmic reticulum plays a significant role in the internal organization of the cell by synthesizing selective molecules and processing, directing and sorting them to their appropriate locations.

Types of Cells

Cells are similar to factories with different labourers and departments that work towards a common objective. Various types of cells perform different functions. Based on cellular structure, cells can be classified into the following types:

• Prokaryotes
• Eukaryotes

Explore: Difference Between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells

Prokaryotic Cell

1. Prokaryotic cells have no nucleus. Instead, some prokaryotes such as bacteria have a region within the cell where the genetic material is freely suspended. This region is called the nucleoid.

2. They all are single-celled microorganisms. Examples include archaea, bacteria, and cyanobacteria.

3. The cell size ranges from 0.1 to 0.5 µm in diameter.

4. The hereditary material can either be DNA or RNA.

5. Prokaryotes reproduce by binary fission, a form of sexual reproduction.

Eukaryotic Cell

1. Eukaryotic cells are characterized by a true nucleus.

2. Cell size ranges between 10–100 µm in diameter.

3. This large category involves plants, fungi, protozoans, and animals.

4. The plasma membrane is responsible for monitoring the transport of nutrients and electrolytes in and out of the cell. It is also responsible for cell to cell communication.

5. They reproduce sexually as well as asexually.

6. There are some contrasting features between plant and animal cell. For eg., the plant cell contains chloroplast, central vacuoles, and other plastids, whereas the animal cell does not.