Cells and Organelles
As stated in the Kurzgesagt clip, all life is based on the cell
The cell is a piece of the dead universe that separated itself from the rest so it could do its own thing for a while.
Living things are inherently exciting.
A cell is filled up with millions of proteins and millions more simpler molecules like water. Thousands of complex self replicating processes are happening up to hundreds of thousands of time every second
To stay alive and exciting the cell must maintain its separation from the rest of the universe. It does this for example by keeping the concentration of molecules different on inside and outside - it does this by actively moving the molecules
To do this it needs energy.
Energy is the ability of things to do work, to move or manipulate a thing, to create change.
Cells get that energy by breaking down complex molecules - like sugar C6H12O6
Overtime these cells became more complex. They started to need 'area's that are dedicated to certain functions, such as releasing energy (mitochondria). These special areas have their own membranes and are like the organs of the cell. As such, they are called 'little organs' or "organelles"
These complex cells are called Eukaryotic cells (like you) the other non complex cells are called prokaryotes (the first cells - bacteria)
Overtime two big branches of life came into existence - Plants and Animals
Plants and Animals are both Eukaryotes. They have organelles that have special functions
Plants and Animals have many of the same organelles. In fact plant cells have more organelles and it can be argued that they are more complex!
Some became multicellular beings and their complexity continued to increase
We will just be looking at Animal Cells and their Organelles (Plant cells have all of the Organelles that Animal cells have - and then more!)
These organelles, the the organs of a person, are all important. They work together to keep the cell alive and to pass on the torch of life
An Animal Cell
Cell Organelles
Eukaryotic Cells are complex cells. They are the cells of Protists, Fungi , Plants and Animals
These complex cells have organelles
These have membranes made of Lipid
Organelles means little organs
Just like organs, these have specialized functions
Organelles
- Nucleus
This protects the DNA
- Endoplasmic Reticulum
This is the site of Protein Synthesis
- Golgi
This is where Proteins are packaged for export into the cell membrane or out of the cell
- Mitochondria