Cell vs. Atom: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A cell is the basic unit of life, forming the structure of organisms, while an atom is the smallest unit of a chemical element, fundamental to matter.
Key Differences
Cells are the fundamental structural and functional units of living organisms, capable of self-replication and performing vital biological processes. Atoms, in contrast, are the basic units of matter, forming elements and compounds, and are not alive.
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Dec 20, 2023
A cell is composed of various organelles and molecules, working together to sustain life processes like metabolism and reproduction. An atom consists of a nucleus, protons, neutrons, and electrons, and it participates in chemical reactions rather than biological processes.
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Cells vary widely in size and complexity, from simple bacteria to complex human cells, each adapted to specific functions. Atoms, while also diverse in properties like atomic number and mass, are much simpler in structure and uniform in size within each element.
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In terms of scale, cells are visible under a microscope and are larger than atoms, which are on the nanometer scale and typically observed using specialized equipment like electron microscopes.
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From a functional perspective, cells interact to form tissues and organisms, playing a crucial role in biology. Atoms, on the other hand, interact to form molecules and materials, fundamental to the field of chemistry.
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Comparison Chart
Basic Definition
Basic unit of life, forming structure of organisms
Smallest unit of a chemical element
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Composition
Composed of organelles and molecules
Consists of nucleus, protons, neutrons, and electrons
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Function
Performs biological processes like metabolism
Participates in chemical reactions
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Scale
Visible under a microscope
Observable with specialized equipment like electron microscopes
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Role in Science
Central in biology and life sciences
Fundamental in chemistry and physics
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Cell and Atom Definitions
Cell
Interacts to form tissues and organs in multicellular organisms.
Blood cells are vital for transporting oxygen throughout the body.
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Atom
Participates in chemical reactions to form molecules.
Water is formed when oxygen and hydrogen atoms bond.
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Atom
Observable with specialized scientific equipment.
Atoms were first observed using an electron microscope.
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Cell
A small enclosed cavity or space, such as a compartment in a honeycomb or within a plant ovary or an area bordered by veins in an insect's wing.
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Atom
Properties vary based on atomic number and mass.
Gold atoms have distinct properties due to their atomic structure.
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Cell
(Biology) The smallest structural unit of an organism that is capable of independent functioning, consisting of cytoplasm, usually one nucleus, and various other organelles, all surrounded by a semipermeable cell membrane.
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Atom
A part or particle considered to be an irreducible constituent of a specified system.
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Atom
The irreducible, indestructible material unit postulated by ancient atomism.
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Cell
The smallest organizational unit of a clandestine group or movement, such as a banned political movement or a terrorist group. A cell's leader is often the only person who knows members of the organization outside the cell.
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Cell
A single unit for electrolysis or conversion of chemical into electric energy, usually consisting of a container with electrodes and an electrolyte; a battery. Also called electrochemical cell.
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Atom
The smallest unit of an element, having all the characteristics of that element and consisting of a very small and dense central nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by one or more shells of orbiting electrons. Atoms remain undivided in chemical reactions except for the donation, acceptance, or exchange of valence electrons.
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Cell
A single unit that converts radiant energy into electric energy
A solar cell.
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Atom
The smallest possible amount of matter which still retains its identity as a chemical element, now known to consist of a nucleus surrounded by electrons.
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Cell
A geographic area or zone surrounding a transmitter in a cellular telephone system.
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Atom
(history of science) A hypothetical particle posited by Greek philosophers as an ultimate and indivisible component of matter.
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Cell
(Computers) A basic unit of storage in a computer memory that can hold one unit of information, such as a character or word.
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Atom
(philosophy) In logical atomism, a fundamental fact that cannot be further broken down.
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Atom
(historical) The smallest medieval unit of time, equal to fifteen ninety-fourths of a second.
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Cell
A small religious house dependent on a larger one, such as a priory within an abbey.
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Cell
A box or other unit on a spreadsheet or similar array at the intersection of a column and a row.
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Atom
(mathematics) A non-zero member of a partially ordered set that has only zero below it (assuming that the poset has a least element, its "zero").
In a Venn diagram, an atom is depicted as an area circumscribed by lines but not cut by any line.
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Cell
A small monastery or nunnery dependent on a larger religious establishment.
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Cell
A small room in a monastery or nunnery accommodating one person.
Gregor Mendel must have spent a good amount of time outside of his cell.
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Atom
The smallest particle of matter that can enter into combination; one of the elementary constituents of a molecule.
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Cell
A room in a prison or jail for one or more inmates.
The combatants spent the night in separate cells.
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Atom
Anything extremely small; a particle; a whit.
There was not an atom of water.
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Cell
Any of various chambers in a tissue or organism having specific functions.
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Atom
(physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element
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Cell
(obsolete) Specifically, any of the supposed compartments of the brain, formerly thought to be the source of specific mental capacities, knowledge, or memories.
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Atom
Smallest unit of a chemical element, fundamental to matter.
A hydrogen atom is the simplest atom with one proton.
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Atom
Consists of a nucleus, protons, neutrons, and electrons.
In a carbon atom, six protons define its atomic number.
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Cell
A device which stores electrical power; used either singly or together in batteries; the basic unit of a battery.
This MP3 player runs on 2 AAA cells.
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Cell
(biology) The basic unit of a living organism, consisting of a quantity of protoplasm surrounded by a cell membrane, which is able to synthesize proteins and replicate itself.
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Cell
(meteorology) A small thunderstorm, caused by convection, that forms ahead of a storm front.
There is a powerful storm cell headed our way.
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Cell
(computing) The minimal unit of a cellular automaton that can change state and has an associated behavior.
The upper right cell always starts with the color green.
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Cell
(card games) In FreeCell-type games, a space where one card can be placed.
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Cell
A small group of people forming part of a larger organization, often an outlawed one.
Those three fellows are the local cell of that organization.
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Cell
(communication) A short, fixed-length packet, as in asynchronous transfer mode.
Virtual Channel number 5 received 170 cells.
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Cell
(communication) A region of radio reception that is a part of a larger radio network.
I get good reception in my home because it is near a cell tower.
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Cell
(geometry) A three-dimensional facet of a polytope. Category:en:Higher-dimensional geometry
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Cell
(statistics) The unit in a statistical array (a spreadsheet, for example) where a row and a column intersect.
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Cell
A very small and close apartment, as in a prison or in a monastery or convent; the hut of a hermit.
The heroic confessor in his cell.
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Cell
A jar of vessel, or a division of a compound vessel, for holding the exciting fluid of a battery.
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Cell
One of the minute elementary structures, of which the greater part of the various tissues and organs of animals and plants are composed.
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Cell
(biology) the basic structural and functional unit of all organisms; cells may exist as independent units of life (as in monads) or may form colonies or tissues as in higher plants and animals
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Cell
A device that delivers an electric current as the result of a chemical reaction
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Cell
A small unit serving as part of or as the nucleus of a larger political movement
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Cell
A hand-held mobile radiotelephone for use in an area divided into small sections (cells), each with its own short-range transmitter/receiver
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Cell
Basic unit of life, forming structure of organisms.
A muscle cell is specialized for contraction and movement.
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Cell
Contains organelles like the nucleus and mitochondria.
The nucleus is the control center of a cell.
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Cell
Can replicate and perform biological processes.
During growth, a skin cell divides to produce new cells.
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Cell
Varies in size and complexity among organisms.
Plant cells contain chloroplasts for photosynthesis.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can atoms be seen with the naked eye?
No, atoms are too small to be seen without specialized equipment.
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What structures are found in cells?
Cells contain organelles like nuclei, mitochondria, and ribosomes.
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How do cells reproduce?
Cells reproduce through processes like mitosis and meiosis.
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Can cells function independently?
Some cells, like bacteria, can function independently, while others depend on multicellular organisms.
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What is an atomic number?
The atomic number is the number of protons in an atom's nucleus.
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What is the role of electrons in an atom?
Electrons orbit the nucleus and participate in chemical bonding.
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What is a multicellular organism?
An organism made up of many cells working together.
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Are all cells the same size?
No, cell size varies greatly among different organisms and types.
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What is an isotope?
An isotope is a variant of an element with different neutron numbers.
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What is the function of a cell membrane?
The cell membrane controls the entry and exit of substances in and out of the cell.
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What makes up an atom?
An atom consists of a nucleus, protons, neutrons, and electrons.
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Can atoms change into other elements?
Atoms can change elements through nuclear reactions, not chemical ones.
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How do atoms combine to form molecules?
Atoms combine through chemical bonds to form molecules.
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What are valence electrons?
Valence electrons are the outermost electrons of an atom, important in bonding.
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What determines the type of atom?
The number of protons in the nucleus determines the type of atom.
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What is the difference between plant and animal cells?
Plant cells have cell walls and chloroplasts, unlike animal cells.
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How do cells communicate with each other?
Cells communicate through chemical signals and physical connections.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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