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AAT Bioquest

What are the differences between cells and tissues?

Posted August 26, 2022


Answer

Cells and tissues are two types of structures present in all organisms. They are both equally important. There are several differences between the two. 

Cells

Cells are the smallest structural and functional unit of an organism. They form the fundamental unit of life and are needed to perform all bodily functions. Cells are microscopic and found in both, unicellular and multicellular organisms. They play key roles in the growth, metabolism, and reproduction of all organisms. Cells contain several cellular organelles, including the nucleus, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes. There are 2 types of cells- Eukaryotic cells and Prokaryotic cells 

Tissues

Tissues are clusters of specialized cells that perform a specific function. Tissues are macroscopic and only found in multicellular organisms. Tissues consist of similar types of cells that are specialized to perform specific functions. Different tissues have different functions. There are 4 types of tissue in the animals - Epithelial tissue, Nervous tissue, Connective tissue, and Muscular tissue.

Additional resources

Insights into the transcriptional and chromatin regulation of mesenchymal stem cells in musculo-skeletal tissues

Cell Meter™ Fixed Cell and Tissue TUNEL Apoptosis Assay Kit *Blue Fluorescence*

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Cell Navigator® Lysosome Staining Kit *Green Fluorescence with 405 nm Excitation*