In this chapter, you will learn about the cell theory and the scientists who discovered it. You will also read about the structure of a cell and its organelles, important cellular functions, and the basic organization of cells into a living organism.

In this chapter, you will: explain the cell theory distinguish between prokaryotes and eukaryotes list the major cytoplasmic organelles and describe their functions compare the structure of plant and animal cells describe the processes by which materials move through the cell membrane relate cell specialization to cell structure describe the four levels of organization in a complex multicellular organism