Download Do you think that all the cells in your body are the same?

Do you think that all the cells in your body are the same?
They aren't. There are many different types of cells in
your body. These cells all work together to help you stay
alive.
Each type of cell in your body is designed to do a
particular job. Think of your skin. The cells that make
up your skin are thin and flat. They are designed to
protect and cover your body. Skin cells could not do the
job of heart cells. Heart cells are long and thick.
They are designed to help the heart pump blood.
Each type of cell is made to do a specific job. That is
why different types of cells in your body look different.
The particular shape and size of a cell enables it to do its
job.
All of your cells have separate structures inside that
help them function. These structures are called organelles.
Organelles allow different things to happen in different parts of a
cell. Organelles within a cell work together to help a cell stay alive
and do its job. Nerve cells have organelles that help them send
electrical signals. Fat cells have organelles that help them store fat.
Different types of cells have similarities, too. All cells need energy to
survive. They use oxygen to get energy from food. Organelles called
mitochondria help cells carry out this process. Cells need different
amounts of energy to do different jobs.
Another thing all cells must do is get rid of wastes. Cells make
wastes when they carry out different processes. If these wastes are
not removed from the cell, they will harm the cell. Then the cell will
not be able to do its job and it will die. Certain organelles collect
wastes and release them from cells.
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