Cell Activities and Processes

Within any one cell, thousands of activities are constantly taking place. Mitochondria produce energy, material is moved in and out of the cell, vacuoles collect and store various products for use, and ribosomes manufacture proteins. These functions of the cell can be classed into four basic categories: respiration, transportation, synthesis, and reproduction.

Basic Cell Functions:

Cell respiration - the production of energy from food.

Cell Transportation - the movement of materials in and out of the cell.

Synthesis - the production of new molecules and compounds.

Reproduction - the production of new organelles.

Oxygen is vital to life. Without it, most living organisms die. In humans and many other animals, oxygen is taken in during breathing. Once oxygen enters the body, it must travel to each cell. If cells are unable to get sufficient oxygen, they cannot produce energy. If this happens for very long, cells begin to die, and the organism itself may die.