Make Entry -- Become an Editor -- Most Popular: (10, 25, 50, 75, 100)

   Help

Types of Cells

There are a variety of ways in which cells can be classified. For example, a cell can be separated according to its tendency towards existing alone or in a group setting. A single cell (also known as unicellular) organism functions by itself without need of any other cells for survival. A multicellular organism, on the other hand, is made up of an entire community of cells that are all specialized, interdependent and interconnected in their requirements and functions.

A cell can also be categorized based on its inherent makeup. In this manner, it might be placed into one of two groups: the prokaryotes and the eukaryotes. A prokaryote is an organism that is almost always single-celled (except for prokaryote colonies), always reproduces by means of binary fission and does not have a cell nucleus or any other organelles contained within a membrane. The prokaryote’s DNA travels openly around the cell. All bacteria are prokaryotes. On the other hand, a eukaryote is an organism that can either be single-celled or multi-celled, can reproduce in one of several ways (e.g. meisos, mitosis) and has a cell nucleus within which its DNA is contained. This presence of a nucleus is the most evident distinction between the two cell structures.

Cells can also be classified into three domains: Eukaryota, Eubacteria, and Archaea where Eubacteria and Archaea is a split of the prokaryotes based on genetic differences. All multicellular animals (and some unicellular organisms) are Eukaryota, including humans.

Web Resources On Types of Cells

Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes
Wikipedia: Cell Biology

Book Resources On Types of Cells

The Cell: A Molecular Approach by Geoffrey M. Cooper, Robert E. Hausman
Molecular Biology of the Cell by Bruce Alberts, et al

Site Maps: Most Recent | Clusters | Browse
New: Graduate Student Job Opportunity