Question: what makes the cell work?

David Christensen answered on 20 Nov 2013:

That’s a tough, big question which I could probably spend forever trying to answer mmar2153!

I guess the main thing that makes the cell work is the DNA that contains all of the instructions for how everything works in the cell. But, the DNA can’t do anything without the proteins that read the DNA and manage to convert those instructions into the things that happen inside the cell. These DNA instructions are read and new proteins are made. The proteins that are made include the enzymes that break down food in digestion and the proteins that read the DNA and proteins that allow talking between cells so that they can work together and proteins that allow production of energy inside the cell as well as a load of other proteins. Basically proteins are the things that actually really make everything work, but they wouldn’t be made without the DNA instructions that tell the cell how to make them.

This system of DNA and proteins is what makes all cells do their functions whether that is in production of hormones, digestion of food, communication between cells in the brain or contraction of muscles to allow movement.

I hope this answers your question!