Understanding Life at the Cellular Level

Cells are the smallest units of life, bustling with activity! Every cell, from the ones in your skin to those in a leaf, carries out essential processes to keep organisms alive.

Major Cellular Processes

• Cellular Respiration: Converts glucose and oxygen into usable energy (ATP), water, and carbon dioxide.
• Photosynthesis: Plants, algae, and some bacteria capture sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen.
• Transport Across Membranes: Cells regulate the movement of substances in and out through processes like diffusion, osmosis, and active transport.
• Cell Division: Mitosis and meiosis help organisms grow, repair, and reproduce.

Real-World Connections

• Efficient cell respiration powers your muscles during sports.
• Photosynthesis enables plants to grow, producing the oxygen we breathe.

Why It Matters

Every living thing relies on these processes for survival, growth, and reproduction.