- All living things are composed of cells, which are the basic units of structure and function. The cell theory states that cells come from pre-existing cells through cell division.
- Cells can be prokaryotic, lacking organelles and a nucleus, or eukaryotic, containing organelles and a nucleus. Eukaryotic cells include plant, animal, fungus and protist cells.
- Key structures of eukaryotic cells include a cell membrane, cytoplasm, organelles like the nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi bodies, lysosomes and vacuoles. These structures perform important functions for cellular processes.