Page 43 - DK Children's Encyclopedia
P. 43

Body cells                                                                        SEE ALSO

                                                                                               ▸ ▸ Cells  p.56
                                                                                               ▸ ▸ Genes  p.119
           Body parts are made up of tiny things called cells. Cells                           ▸ ▸ Human body
           have important jobs to do, like sending messages, turning                            p.130
           food into energy, and fighting off germs. Every cell has a                          ▸ ▸ Microscopic life

           particular job to do to keep the body healthy.                                       p.165
                                                                                               ▸ ▸ Sickness  p.225

                                                                                               ▸ ▸ Skin  p.229


       Inside a cell
       All our body cells have an                                                           Nucleus
       outer shell with a liquid                                                            The nucleus is the control
       inside. In the very center                                                           center of the cell.  It
                                                                                            contains instructions
       of the cell is a core,                                                               called genes.
       called the nucleus.



                                                                                                      Cell membrane
                                                                                                      The membrane is
                                                                                                      the edge of the cell.
       Mitochondria                                                                                   It allows things to
       These tiny structures                                                                          move in and out.
       release energy to
       power the cell.





       Cytoplasm
       Cytoplasm is a
       liquid inside the cell
       where chemicals                                                                                There are
       mix together to                                                                              approximately
       bring the cell to life.
                                                                                                37.2 trillion
                                                                                                     cells in the
                                                                                                    human body!





          Types of cell                      Red blood cells                                        Nerve cells have
          Cells come in many                 pick up oxygen                                         long stems. They
          different sizes and                from the lungs                                         carry electrical
          shapes. Each one is                and transport it                                       messages to
          perfectly suited for               around the body.                                       the brain.
          the job it does in
          the body. Cells can
          divide to make more
          of themselves.                     White blood cells            Fat cells store and       Intestine cells
                                             change shape and             release energy.           are frilly. The
                                             squeeze in                   They protect the          frills absorb
                                             between other                body from bumps           useful nutrients
                                             cells to kill germs.         and knocks.               from food.



                                                             41





   US_041_Body_Cells.indd   41                                                                                   16/05/2017   09:46
   38   39   40   41   42   43   44   45   46   47   48