Cell

The fundamental level of structural organization in complex organisms. Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus (with chromosome s) and cytoplasm with the protein synthesis machinery, bounded by a membrane. Prokaryotic cells have no nucleus.

The lowest denomination of life thought to be possible. Most organisms consist of more than one cell which becomes specialized into particular functions to enable the whole organism to function properly. Cells contain DNA and many other elements to enable the cell to function.

The basic unit of any living organism. It is a small, watery, compartment filled with chemicals and a complete copy of the organism's genome. See also genome, nucleus

The basic unit of any living organism that carries on the biochemical processes of life. See also: genome, nucleus

A component of a electrochemical battery. A 'primary' cell consists of two dissimilar elements, known as 'electrodes,' immersed in a liquid or paste known as the 'electrolyte.' A direct current of 1-1.5 volts will be produced by this cell. A 'secondary' cell or accumulator is a similar design but is made useful by passing a direct current of correct strength through it in a certain direction. Each of these cells will produce 2 volts; a 12 volt car battery contains six cells.

Convection in the form of a single updraft, downdraft, or updraft/downdraft couplet, typically seen as a vertical dome or tower as in a towering cumulus cloud. A typical thunderstorm consists of several cells.

The term "cell" also is used to describe the radar echo returned by an individual shower or thunderstorm. Such usage, although common, is technically incorrect.

In cellular mobile, the geographical area covered by the smaller of: a base station, or a subsystem (sector antenna) of that base station corresponding to a specific logical identification on the radio path. Note: Mobile stations in a cell may be reached by the corresponding radio equipment of the base station. 2. The service area of an individual transmitter location in a cellular system. [47CFR] 3.In communications, a string that contains a header and user information. Note 1: A cell is dedicated to one user for one session. Cells for a given system are usually of fixed length and smaller than a frame, such as 424 bits for a cell, compared to 1024 for a frame. Note 2: In asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) systems, a cell consists of 53 bytes, i.e., a 5-byte header field and a 48-byte information field. Note 3: A cell does not have error-correction capability and is therefore suited for low-BER communications systems, such as digital fiber optic systems. 4. In OSI, a fixed-length block labeled at the Physical Layer of the Open Systems Interconnection--Reference Model (OSI--RM). 5. In computer systems, an addressable, internal hardware location. 5. In computer applications, a single location on a spreadsheet.