What Are Eukaryotic Cells? - Healio

• Modules Modules
  • Genomics Primer Genomics Primer
    • Overview/Key Objectives
    • What are Eukaryotic Cells?
    • DNA Definition
    • What are Chromosomes?
    • What is a Genome?
    • Regulation of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes
    • Genetic Alterations
    • References
    • Assessment Questions
  • Course Introduction Course Introduction
    • Overview/Key Objectives
    • What is Precision Medicine?
    • Precision Medicine in the Clinic
    • Direct-to-Consumer Genomic Testing
    • Ongoing Genomic Research and Big Data in Precision Medicine
    • References
    • Assessment Questions
  • Pathology Assessment of Tumor Tissue Pathology Assessment of Tumor Tissue
    • Overview/Key Objectives
    • Introduction to the Pathology Laboratory
    • Specimen Preparation
    • Initial Pathology Assessment
    • Common Pathology Tests Performed in Oncology
    • References
    • Assessment Questions
  • Introduction to Liquid Biopsies Introduction to Liquid Biopsies
    • Overview/Key Objectives
    • What is a Liquid Biopsy?
    • Approaches to Liquid Biopsy Analysis: CTCs and cfDNA
    • Technologies for Isolation and Detection of CTCs and cfDNA
    • Liquid Biopsy Applications
    • Concordance Between Tumor and Liquid Biopsies for Mutational Analysis
    • Select Commercially Available Liquid Biopsy Assays
    • References
    • Assessment Questions
  • Lung Cancer: Assessment, Treatment Lung Cancer: Assessment, Treatment
    • Introduction
    • Current Oncogenic Biomarkers in Lung Cancer
    • EGFR Epidermal Growth Factor
    • EGFR Exon 20 Insertions
    • EGFR Exon 18
    • ALK Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
    • ROS1 ROS Proto oncogene 1
    • BRAF v raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B
    • NTRK: Fusion Neurotrophic Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase
    • MET: Mesenchymal-to-Epithelial Transition
    • RET Fusion: Rearranged During Transfection
    • HER2: Human Epidermal Growth Factor 2
    • KRAS: Kirsten RAT Sarcoma Viral Oncogenic Homolog
    • References
  • NTRK3 Fusion NTRK3 Fusion
    • Initial Diagnosis
    • Clinical Progress and Treatment
    • Imaging
    • Pathology Part 1
    • Pathology Part 2
    • Discussion and Proposed Potential Therapies
    • References
  • Whole-Genome Sequencing Whole-Genome Sequencing
    • Overview/Key Objectives
    • What is Whole-Genome Sequencing?
    • Sanger Sequencing
    • Whole-Genome Sequencing Methods
    • Whole-Genome vs. Whole-Exome Sequencing vs. Targeted Sequencing Panels
    • Strengths and Limitations of Next-Generation Sequencing
    • Next-Generation Sequencing in the Research and Clinic Settings
    • Importance of Bioinformatics
    • References
    • Assessment Questions
  • Genomic Medicine in Clinical Practice: Era of Personalized Medicine Genomic Medicine in Clinical Practice: Era of Personalized Medicine
    • Overview/Key Objectives
    • Clinical Settings for Genomic Testing
    • Considerations When Choosing a Genomic Testing Approach
    • Liquid Biopsies
    • Frequently Discussed Topics
    • Future of Genomic Medicine
    • References
    • Assessment Questions
• Quizzes
• Tumor Boards
• Videos
• About

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1. Hematology/Oncology
2. Learn Genomics
3. Genomics Primer

Genomics Primer Module Content

• Overview/Key Objectives
• What are Eukaryotic Cells?
• DNA Definition
• What are Chromosomes?
• What is a Genome?
• Regulation of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes
• Genetic Alterations
• References
• Assessment Questions

• Overview/Key Objectives
• What are Eukaryotic Cells?
• DNA Definition
• What are Chromosomes?
• What is a Genome?
• Regulation of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes
• Genetic Alterations
• References
• Assessment Questions

0% Your Module Progress What are Eukaryotic Cells?

A cell is the basic building block of human life. The human body consists of trillions of cells. Human cells are comprised of many parts, each of which have specific functions. The cytoskeleton consists of a network of fibers that helps to retain a cell’s shape and allows the cell to move. The cytoskeleton also helps guide the movement of the organelles, which are structures within the cell that execute certain functions. Cytoplasm, a jelly-like fluid, surrounds the organelles and the cell’s nucleus, which is a structure that contains deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Each organelle has a certain job to perform within the cell. Types of organelles include:

• Endoplasmic reticulum – assists with sorting, processing and transportation of protein and lipid molecules. It is the largest organelle.
• Golgi apparatus – bundles molecules (such as proteins and lipids) processed by the endoplasmic reticulum and transports them out of the cell.
• Mitochondrion – converts food into energy that the cell can use and synthesizes adenosine triphosphate by a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell.
• Ribosome – creates proteins for use inside and outside the cell.
• Lysosome and peroxisome – digest foreign bacteria in the cell, rid the cell of toxic materials and recycle worn out cell components. These organelles act as the recycling center of the cell.

Source: Shutterstock

The nucleus is often referred to as the control center, or brain, of the cell and contains the DNA, or genetic material. The nucleus is surrounded by the nuclear envelope. For more information on DNA, see section “DNA Definition.”

Cells that contain these features (ie, cytoskeleton, organelles surrounded by cytoplasm and nucleus surrounded by nuclear envelope) are called eukaryotic cells. Human cells are eukaryotic cells.

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