{"id":4061,"date":"2026-01-05T00:28:53","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T18:58:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=4061"},"modified":"2026-01-06T12:11:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T06:41:07","slug":"cell-structure-and-organelles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/cell-structure-and-organelles\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Cell? &#8211; Structure, Organelles, and Types"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Cells are the<strong>\u00a0fundamental units of life<\/strong>, serving as the building blocks of all living organisms. Developed through the groundbreaking contributions of scientists like Matthias Schleiden, Theodore Schwann, and Rudolf Virchow, cell theory established that all living beings are composed of cells and their products. These cells exhibit remarkable diversity, with each organelle contributing to their specific functions and the overall vitality of living organisms.<\/p>\r\n<h2>What is a Cell?<\/h2>\r\n<p>Cells are the fundamental building blocks of all life. Trillions of cells make up the human body. They support the body's structure, absorb nutrients from food, convert those nutrients into energy, and perform specialised functions.<\/p>\r\n<h3><strong>Cell Theory<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p>In the 19th century,\u00a0<strong>Matthias Schleiden\u00a0<\/strong>and<strong>\u00a0Theodore Schwann<\/strong>\u00a0made significant observations regarding cells, leading to the development of the cell theory.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Schleiden's contribution (1838):<\/strong>\u00a0Schleiden examined various plants and noticed that they were made up of different types of cells, which combined to form plant tissues.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Schwann's contribution (1839):<\/strong>\u00a0Theodore Schwann studied animal cells and identified a thin outer layer in cells, known today as the\u00a0<strong>'plasma membrane.'<\/strong>\u00a0He proposed that both animals and plants are composed of cells and products of cells.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Schleiden and Schwann collaborated to propose the cell theory. However, it did not explain how new cells developed.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Rudolf Virchow's contribution (1855):\u00a0<\/strong>He expanded on the cell theory and proposed that cells divide and new cells are generated from pre-existing cells, famously stating, \"Omnis cellula-e cellula.\" It gave the final shape to the cell theory.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Cell theory at present:<\/strong>\u00a0All living organisms are composed of cells and the products of cells. Cells are not spontaneously generated but\u00a0<strong>arise from pre-existing cells\u00a0<\/strong>through the process of cell division.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Types of Cells<\/h2>\r\n<p>There are two main types of cells: Prokaryotic cells and Eukaryotic cells based on the structure of a cell:<\/p>\r\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/vajiram-prod.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com\/types_of_cell_2ddd220d64.webp\" alt=\"Types of Cell\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<h3><strong>Prokaryotic Cells<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p>They are typically found in\u00a0<strong>single-cellular organisms<\/strong>\u00a0like bacteria, blue-green algae, mycoplasma, and Pleuro Pneumonia Like Organisms (PPLO). They are\u00a0<strong>smaller<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>multiply faster<\/strong>\u00a0than eukaryotic cells.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Shape:\u00a0<\/strong>They come in various shapes and sizes\u00a0<strong>(0.5-5 \u00b5m)<\/strong>, with four basic shapes being rod-like (<strong>bacillus<\/strong>), spherical (<strong>coccus<\/strong>), comma-shaped (<strong>vibrio<\/strong>), and spiral (<strong>spirillum<\/strong>).<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Cell organisation:\u00a0<\/strong>Prokaryotic cells have a basic structural organisation, which includes a cell wall (except in mycoplasma), cytoplasm, and a plasma membrane. However, they<strong>\u00a0lack a well-defined nucleus<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Organelles:\u00a0<\/strong>Prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles,\u00a0<strong>except for ribosomes<\/strong>.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>They do have unique structures called\u00a0<strong>mesosomes<\/strong>, which are extensions of the plasma membrane used for various functions.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Reproduction:<\/strong>\u00a0Prokaryotic cells reproduce primarily through binary fission, a type of asexual reproduction.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>DNA:<\/strong>\u00a0Most prokaryotic cells have a single chromosome, which carries hereditary genes in the form of DNA.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Eukaryotic Cells<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p>Eukaryotic cells are found in\u00a0<strong>multi-cellular organisms<\/strong>\u00a0such as protists, plants, animals, and fungi. They are more complex as compared to prokaryotic cells.<\/p>\r\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/vajiram-prod.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com\/animal_cell_and_plant_cell_6138511c6f.webp\" alt=\"Animal Cell and Plant Cell\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Cell organisation:<\/strong>\u00a0Eukaryotic cells exhibit extensive\u00a0<strong>compartmentalisation\u00a0<\/strong>due to the presence of membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and more.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Nucleus:<\/strong>\u00a0Unlike prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells have a\u00a0<strong>well-defined nucleus<\/strong>\u00a0surrounded by a nuclear envelope.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Distinction between plant and animal cells:<\/strong>\u00a0Eukaryotic cells vary between plant and animal cells. Plant cells have cell walls, plastids, and large central vacuoles, while animal cells have centrioles, which are absent in most plant cells.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Organelles:\u00a0<\/strong>Eukaryotic cells contain a wide range of organelles with specific functions, allowing for a high level of cellular specialisation.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Reproduction:<\/strong>\u00a0Eukaryotes can reproduce asexually through\u00a0<strong>mitosis\u00a0<\/strong>and sexually through\u00a0<strong>meiosis\u00a0<\/strong>and gamete fusion.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>During mitosis, one cell divides to produce two genetically identical cells.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>In meiosis, DNA replication is followed by cellular division to produce four haploid daughter cells.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>DNA:<\/strong>\u00a0It contains more than one chromosome.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Structure of Cell<\/h2>\r\n<p>The cell structure is made up of individual components that\u00a0<strong>each perform a specific function<\/strong>\u00a0in the course of life. The cell membrane, cell wall, cytoplasm, and nucleus are part of the cell structure.<\/p>\r\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/vajiram-prod.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com\/structure_of_cell_a6df561b23.webp\" alt=\"Structure of Cell\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<h3><strong>Cell Membrane (Plasma membrane)<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>It is the\u00a0<strong>outermost\u00a0<\/strong>covering of the cell that\u00a0<strong>separates\u00a0<\/strong>its contents from the external environment.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>It is\u00a0<strong>selectively permeable<\/strong>, allowing the passage of some materials while preventing others.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Substances like carbon dioxide and oxygen move through the membrane via\u00a0<strong>diffusion<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Water molecules<\/strong>\u00a0move through the process of\u00a0<strong>osmosis<\/strong>, which is the net diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane toward a higher solute concentration.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Cell Wall<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>It is found in\u00a0<strong>plant\u00a0<\/strong>cells,\u00a0<strong>outside the plasma membrane.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n\t<li>It is composed mainly of cellulose, providing structural strength to plants.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>A live plant cell experiences contraction or shrinking of its contents away from the cell wall when it loses water through osmosis.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>It is referred to as\u00a0<strong>plasmolysis<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>It allows plant cells to withstand hypotonic external environments, preventing bursting due to excess water uptake.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Nucleus<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>It has chromosomes, rod-shaped structures, which appear as rod-shaped structures when the cell begins to split.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Chromosomes, composed of DNA and protein,\u00a0<strong>carry genetic information<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li>It is surrounded by a\u00a0<strong>double-layered nuclear membrane<\/strong>\u00a0with pores for material transfer between the inside and outside of the environment.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>It plays a\u00a0<strong>central role in cellular reproduction<\/strong>, the process by which a single cell divides and divides again to form two new cells.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>It also determines how the cell develops and what form it takes when mature, by directing the chemical activities of the cell.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Cytoplasm<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>The\u00a0<strong>fluid content inside the plasma membrane<\/strong>\u00a0is referred to as the cytoplasm.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>It is present in both plant and animal cells.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li>It contains\u00a0<strong>specialised cell organelles,<\/strong>\u00a0which have specific functions in the cell.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>The cytoplasm is\u00a0<strong>essential for the cell's metabolic activities\u00a0<\/strong>and serves as the medium for various cellular processes.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Cell Organelles<\/h2>\r\n<p>Every cell,\u00a0<strong>especially eukaryotic cells<\/strong>, contains various\u00a0<strong>membrane-bound organelles<\/strong>\u00a0that serve distinct functions, allowing the cell to carry out complex activities. These organelles are what distinguish eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells.<\/p>\r\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/vajiram-prod.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com\/endoplasmic_reticulum_c007c94566.webp\" alt=\"Endoplasmic Reticulum\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<h3><strong>Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Description:\u00a0<\/strong>The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a vast network of membrane-bound tubes and sheets.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>It resembles long tubules or round or oblong bags (vesicles).<\/li>\r\n\t<li>The structure of the ER membrane is similar to that of the plasma membrane.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Types:<\/strong>\u00a0There are two types of ER-\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum:\u00a0<\/strong>It\u00a0<strong>appears rough<\/strong>\u00a0under a microscope because it has particles called ribosomes attached to its surface.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>It is commonly found in cells that are actively involved in protein synthesis and secretion.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>They are extensive and continuous with the nucleus's outer membrane.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum:<\/strong>\u00a0The smooth endoplasmic reticulum is the primary site of lipid synthesis.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>In animal cells, SER synthesises lipid-like steroidal hormones.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Functions:<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>It functions as a\u00a0<strong>channel for the transport of materials<\/strong>\u00a0(particularly proteins) between different regions of the cytoplasm or between the cytoplasm and the nucleus.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>It also serves as a\u00a0<strong>cytoplasmic framewor<\/strong>k, providing a surface for some of the cell's biochemical activities.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>For example, SER plays an important role in the\u00a0<strong>detoxification of many poisons and drugs<\/strong>\u00a0in the liver cells of the vertebrate group of animals.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Golgi Apparatus<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/vajiram-prod.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com\/golgi_apparatus_0627ac3bbc.webp\" alt=\"Golgi Apparatus\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Description:\u00a0<\/strong>The Golgi apparatus consists of a system of\u00a0<strong>membrane-bound vesicles (flattened sacs)<\/strong>\u00a0arranged roughly parallel to each other in stacks called cisterns.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>The Golgi cisternae are arranged concentrically near the nucleus, with distinct convex cis or concave trans faces.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Functions:<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Storing, modifying, and packaging products in vesicles, to be delivered either intracellularly or secreted outside the cell.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Plays an important role in the\u00a0<strong>formation of glycoproteins and glycolipids<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Lysosomes<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/vajiram-prod.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com\/lysosomes_876be9628c.webp\" alt=\"Lysosomes\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Description:<\/strong>\u00a0Lysosomes are\u00a0<strong>membrane-bound vesicular structures<\/strong>\u00a0that the Golgi apparatus forms during the packing process.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Function:\u00a0<\/strong>They function as the cell's waste disposal system. They aid in the cleaning of the cell by digesting foreign material as well as worn-out cell organelles.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Foreign materials that enter the cell, such as bacteria or food, as well as old organelles, end up in the lysosomes, which are responsible for breaking complex substances down into simpler substances.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Suicide bags:<\/strong>\u00a0Lysosomes may burst and enzymes digest their own cell during a disruption in cellular metabolism, such as when the cell is damaged.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Mitochondria<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/vajiram-prod.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com\/mitochondria_cfcae8d55f.webp\" alt=\"Mitochondria\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Description:<\/strong>\u00a0Mitochondria are known as the\u00a0<strong>cell's powerhouses<\/strong>. Mitochondria have two membranes that cover them. The outer membrane is\u00a0<strong>permeable<\/strong>, whereas the inner membrane is\u00a0<strong>deeply folded<\/strong>.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>The inner membrane is filled with a dense homogeneous substance known as the\u00a0<strong>matrix<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>The organelle's continuous\u00a0<strong>limiting boundary<\/strong>\u00a0is formed by the outer membrane.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Functions:<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Mitochondria are the places of\u00a0<strong>aerobic respiration<\/strong>. They generate cellular energy in the\u00a0<strong>form of Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)<\/strong>, which is why they are referred to as the cell's \"powerhouses.\"<\/li>\r\n\t<li>They have their\u00a0<strong>own ribosomes and DNA<\/strong>. As a result, mitochondria can produce some of their own proteins.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Plastids<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/vajiram-prod.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com\/chloroplast_f68ffb39aa.webp\" alt=\"Chloroplast\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Description:\u00a0<\/strong>Plastids can\u00a0<strong>only be found in plant cells.<\/strong>\u00a0Plastids are classified into two types:\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Chromoplasts<\/strong>\u00a0(coloured plastids) are chromosomes that contain the pigment chlorophyll.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Leucoplasts\u00a0<\/strong>(white or colourless plastids) are colourless plastids that store materials like starch, oils, and protein granules.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Functions:<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Plants rely on chloroplasts for photosynthesis.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Carotene, xanthophylls<\/strong>, and other fat-soluble carotenoid pigments are found in the chromoplasts.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>This causes the plant to turn yellow, orange, or red.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Plastids have their\u00a0<strong>own DNA and ribosomes<\/strong>, just like mitochondria.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Vacuoles<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/vajiram-prod.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com\/vacuoles_3a29c4733b.webp\" alt=\"Vacuoles\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Description:\u00a0<\/strong>Vacuoles are storage sacs that can hold solid or liquid contents. Animal cells have small vacuoles, whereas plant cells have larger vacuoles.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Vacuoles in plant cells can occupy up to\u00a0<strong>90%<\/strong>\u00a0of the\u00a0<strong>cell's volume.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Functions:<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>They give the cell\u00a0<strong>turgidity and rigidity<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Many important substances for plant cell life such as\u00a0<strong>amino acids, sugars<\/strong>\u00a0etc, are\u00a0<strong>stored\u00a0<\/strong>in vacuoles.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>The\u00a0<strong>contractile vacuole<\/strong>\u00a0is essential for\u00a0<strong>osmoregulation\u00a0<\/strong>and excretion in Amoeba.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Ribosomes<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/vajiram-prod.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com\/ribosomes_7fc2364416.webp\" alt=\"Ribosomes\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Description:<\/strong>\u00a0George Palade (1953) discovered ribosomes as dense particles under the electron microscope.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>They are made up of\u00a0<strong>RNA and proteins<\/strong>\u00a0and are not surrounded by a membrane.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Function:<\/strong>\u00a0The ribosome reads the\u00a0<strong>messenger RNA (mRNA) sequence<\/strong>\u00a0and converts the genetic code into a specific string of\u00a0<strong>amino acids<\/strong>, which develops into long chains that fold to form proteins.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Cytoskeleton<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/vajiram-prod.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com\/cytoskeleton_682e2e042f.webp\" alt=\"Cytoskeleton\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Description:\u00a0<\/strong>It is a complex\u00a0<strong>network of filamentous proteinaceous structures<\/strong>\u00a0in the cytoplasm that includes microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments.<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Function:\u00a0<\/strong>The cytoskeleton in a cell performs a variety of functions, including mechanical support, motility, and cell shape maintenance.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Cilia and Flagella<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/vajiram-prod.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com\/cilia_and_flagella_e013382b57.webp\" alt=\"Cilia and Flagella\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Description:<\/strong>\u00a0Cilia and flagella are\u00a0<strong>hair-like cell membrane outgrowths<\/strong>. Cilia are small structures that act like oars, causing the cell or surrounding fluid to move. Flagella are relatively longer and are in charge of cell movement.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Flagella are also found in prokaryotic bacteria, but they differ structurally from eukaryotic flagella.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Function:<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>They are involved in various functions such as mucus clearance, locomotion, fluid circulation, chemosensation, and mechanosensation.<\/li>\r\n\t<li>They are also involved in\u00a0<strong>signal transduction and human disease<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><strong>Centrosome and Centrioles<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/vajiram-prod.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com\/centrosome_and_centrioles_4d18e4f048.webp\" alt=\"Centrosome and Centrioles\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><strong>Description:<\/strong>\u00a0Centrosomes are organelles located in the cytoplasm that typically contain\u00a0<strong>two cylindrical structures<\/strong>\u00a0known as centrioles.\u00a0<strong>Amorphous pericentriolar<\/strong>\u00a0materials surround them.\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Both centrioles in a centrosome are\u00a0<strong>perpendicular\u00a0<\/strong>to each other and have a\u00a0<strong>cartwheel-like organisation<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><strong>Function:\u00a0<\/strong>They are involved in the formation of the network of\u00a0<strong>microtubules\u00a0<\/strong>which participate in making the cytoskeleton.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A cell is the fundamental structural and functional unit of all living things. Learn about the cell structure, organelles, functions, and types here<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":8290,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[173],"tags":[40,264],"class_list":{"0":"post-4061","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-quest-level-3","8":"tag-quest","9":"tag-what-is-a-cell"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4061","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4061"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4061\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19987,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4061\/revisions\/19987"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8290"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4061"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4061"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4061"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}