Cell The Unit of Life — BIOLOGY STD 11 Science — Question

To be called as a living cell, a cell must possess the following features: Structure: It must contain the genetic blueprint and machinery to use it. This means the cells should contain cytoplasm, plasma membrane and hereditary material or the genetic material (DNA or RNA) and the proteins. Also, it should contain various internal organelles carrying out various functions necessary for its metabolic activity and survival. Functions:

1. The cell should be able to perform various chemical reactions like transforming simple organic molecules into complex molecules, called anabolism, as well as be able to breakdown complex molecules to release energy, called catabolism. This comprises the metabolism of a cell.
2. The cells should be able to perform mechanical activities like responding to stimuli, for example, chemotaxis, phototaxis, etc.
3. They should be able to regulate important activities like DNA synthesis, cell division or gene regulation, etc.