Among other functions, water enables cells to transport chemicals, helps their temperature remain more stable and keeps the cells turgid. Every living cell on the planet requires water to survive, which is part of the reason scientists suspect that extraterrestrial life is most likely to occur on planets or moons with liquid water. Because water is used to flush toxins from the cell, it must be replenished frequently.Continue Reading
Because water is a polar molecule, it is an excellent solvent, and it can carry a wide variety of dissolved substances in it. This not only helps cells to transport dissolved substances within the cell, but also it helps them to absorb nutrients and expel wastes as well. When a cell is not properly hydrated, such transport functions slow, causing problems for the cell.
Because water has a relatively high specific heat value, it takes a lot of energy to heat up (and cool off), which means that cells do not experience drastic fluctuations in temperature. Stable temperatures help cells to perform more efficiently, as the functions of the cell often slow when the temperature falls and speed up when the temperature rises. Additionally, the water inside a cell helps the cell to remain somewhat pliable, while still retaining its shape.Learn more about Cells
A centriole is a small cylindrical organelle in animal cells that employs materials to form centrosomes and cilia, the projections of the cells that are responsible for the body’s movement and sensory functions. During cell division, the centriole is specifically arranged to aid the processes of mitosis and meiosis. A centriole remains in close proximity with another to form a pair (centrosome).Full Answer >
Companion cells provide ATP and nutrients and carry out all of the cellular functions of a sieve-tube element in plants. The cytoplasm in sieve-tube elements lack most of the structures necessary for cellular maintenance.Full Answer >
Eukaryotic cells have organelles, membrane-bound structures that perform different functions in the cell, and prokaryotic cells do not. Some typical eukaryotic organelles include the nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, Golgi apparati and chloroplasts.Full Answer >
Some of the main functions of skin cells are to provide protection, perceive and transmit sensation, control evaporation and regulate temperature. Skin cells, which are epithelial cells, are also self-repairing and reproduce quickly. Epithelial cells are the most commonly found of the four tissue types.Full Answer >