Cell biology stems from biology. Its purpose is simple, to study the structure of cells as well as their many functions. Everything that is living is made up of millions and millions of a variety of cells. It allows scientists to know what's going on in a cell at any given time, and can help the bio-medical field. Studying the cells must be done with a microscope, because cells exist on a microscopic and molecular level.

Cell biology focuses more on organisms that have organelles (a unit with a membrane). Prokaryotes, or cells without being attached to a membrane, fall under microbiology. This allows for a more focused and clear way to dictate

The origins of cell biology dates to the 17^th century. Robert Hooke, a renowned English philosopher who specialized in nature, discovered the cell in 1665. While observing thin slices of bottle cork under his coarse, compound microscope, he saw many tiny pores which he named cells. Cells comes from the Latin word "Cella" which means a small room.

Although Hooke made the discovery, he was unaware of the vast amount of uses for the cell. He didn't write down the nucleus, nor did he write down the many tiny organelles that live within a cell. These discoveries were made by Anton van Leeuwenhoek. In 1676, he would use a 270x zoomed microscope. He would go on to make many revelations about the cell and where they exist, including protozoa, bacteria, and was the first to find red blood cells.

To study a cell, you must do it on a molecular level. The cell is made up of molecules, ions, hormones, and about 75-85% water. This is because it can exist in water without disappearing into it, due to the polarity of the cell and water. On a greater scale, the molecular composition of a cell is proteins, lipids, and organelles.

Cells are what keep us alive. They are microscopic organisms that produce many the needs for organisms to survive. They link together to make large bodies, and can do a range of processes, from your muscle tissue, to the functions of digestion. They are essential to survival, and are one of the many stepping stones to life. Cells exist in all living things, which includes plants, animals, insects, and anything that is deemed a living organism.

Cell Biology has revealed many things about our surroundings, as well as pushed forward many boundaries in all aspects of life sciences. It has allowed us to see what organisms are made up of, as well as the various organelles inside the cell. With the discoveries of Hooke and Leeuwenhoek, we began our journey into cell biology, and the advances we make will change future generations forever.

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