1. The Basic Unit of Life

2.  Cells may be simple or complex but they are the basic unit of life for all organisms  Definition: the basic structural and functional unit of all organisms.  Simple cells are prokaryotic.  Complex cells are eukaryotic  The study of cells is called cytology

3.  Simple cells with no nucleus  Eubacteria and archaebacteria

4. Eukaryotic cells (complex life forms) are made of a cell membrane and membrane bound organelles.

5.  Cells have the ability to specialize to do different jobs for multicellular organisms.  Cells can then divide the work to be done to keep the mulitcellular organism alive, growing and developing.

6.  Cells are usually microscopic  Length is often measured in micrometers  1 micrometer = 0.000001 meter  Divide a millimeter into one thousand pieces. The cell is the length of one of those pieces.

7.  Cells are very diverse and come in many shapes because they are specialized to do specific jobs.

8.  Eukaryotic cells are structurally similar and contain  A cell membrane  Cytoplasm  Nucleus  Organelles

9.  A phospholipid, semipermeable membrane layer that surrounds and contains the cytoplasm and organelles of a cell  Allows passage into and out of the cell

10.  The cytoplasm consists of all of the contents outside of the nucleus and enclosed within the cell membrane of a cell.  The cytoplasm is clear in color and has a gel-like appearance.  It is composed mainly of water and also contains enzymes, salts, organelles, and various organic molecules.  The cytoplasm helps to move materials around the cell and also dissolves cellular waste.

11.  The nucleus is the control center of a cell.  It contains the cell's hereditary information (DNA) and controls the cell's growth and reproduction.

12.  All cells have chemicals and structures that enable them to live, grow, and reproduce.  The structures are called organelles.  All cells have organelles but not necessarily the same organelles.  Some are surrounded by membranes while others are not.