There is an unbroken chain of life from the first cells on Earth to all cells found in organisms alive today. Eukaryotes have much more complex cell structure than prokaryotes. The evolution of multicellular organisms allowed cell specialization and cell replacement. Cell division is essential but is carried out differently in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. While evolution has resulted in a biological world of enormous diversity, the study of cells shows us that there are also universal features. For example, the fluid and dynamic structure of biological membranes allows them to control the composition of cells.
- Allot and Mindorff
1.1 Introduction to cells 1.2 Ultrastructure of cells 1.3 Membrane structure 1.4 Membrane transport 1.5 The origin of cells 1.6 Cell division