When talking about cells in science, people are discussing the basics of what make up life. Cells make up all living things, as the smallest level. The cellular level of organisms is where processes occur to be able to keep each organism alive.

Many people do not fully understand what a cell is. At its most basic level, a cell is a sac of fluid that is surrounded by membranes. Organelles and chemicals float inside the fluid of cells. Though we know that there are structures smaller than cells, that in fact make up the cells, they are unable to function as the organism does. A cell, on the other hand can convert fuel to energy and get rid of waste, just as the organism that these cells make up can do. That is why cells are considered the lowest structural level of an organism. Cells themselves are living things, they do not only make up living things. Cells are a foundation for all bacteria, animals, and plants.

Cells need to reproduce. If they did not, the living things that they make up would cease to live. One of the interesting things about cells is exactly how they reproduce. They do this by dividing themselves. Cell division is the name of this process. It is the process of the cells not only diving themselves, but also replacing themselves.

There are two different major categories of cells; the eukaryotes and the prokaryotes. Eukaryotes store genetic information in their nucleus, they combine food and oxygen to make energy in a form that is usable, and they have a membrane which is internal. Prokaryotes, on the other hand, do not have “true” nuclei. They have a small amount of genetic material, but it tends to be much less organized. Prokaryotes are seen in blue-green algae and bacteria.