Cells

Season 01

Episode 17

Duration 23:01

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Introduction to Cells

Every living thing is made of cells. They are the tiny building blocks of life, forming plants, animals, and even humans. But what do cells do? In this episode, Bill Nye explores cells, explaining how they function, why they divide, and how they keep living things alive.

Cells are microscopic, yet they perform essential tasks. They provide structure, produce energy, and carry genetic information. Bill Nye explains how different cells have unique jobs, from brain cells that help us think to skin cells that protect our bodies.

What Are Cells and Why Are They Important?

Cells are the basic unit of life. Every living organism, from tiny bacteria to massive whales, is made of them. Scientists classify cells into two main types:

Prokaryotic cells – Simple cells without a nucleus, like bacteria.
Eukaryotic cells – Complex cells with a nucleus, found in plants, animals, and humans.

Because cells work together, they allow organisms to grow, heal, and function.

Bill Nye’s Fun Experiments on Cells

Bill Nye makes cell biology fun with exciting demonstrations!

Microscope exploration – He shows what cells look like up close.
Cell model activity – He builds a cell to explain its different parts.
Mitosis experiment – He demonstrates how cells divide to help organisms grow.

These experiments prove that even though cells are tiny, they play a huge role in life.

How Do Cells Work?

Cells have specialized parts called organelles that help them function. The most important ones include:

Nucleus – Stores genetic material (DNA).
Mitochondria – Produces energy for the cell.
Cytoplasm – A jelly-like substance that holds organelles.
Cell membrane – Protects the cell and controls what enters and leaves.

Because cells need energy, they absorb nutrients, break them down, and convert them into fuel. Bill Nye explains how plant cells use sunlight in photosynthesis, while animal cells get energy from food.

Why Do Cells Divide?

Cells don’t last forever, so they must make copies of themselves. This process, called mitosis, helps organisms grow, heal, and replace old cells.

Growth – New cells help living things get bigger.
Healing – Cells repair cuts and injuries.
Reproduction – Some organisms divide to create new life.

Bill Nye shows how mitosis allows living things to stay alive and healthy.

Conclusion on Cells

Cells are the foundation of life. They build bodies, produce energy, and allow living things to grow. Bill Nye reminds us that, even though cells are microscopic, they shape the world around us.

Next time you scratch your skin or eat a meal, remember—cells are working behind the scenes to keep you alive!

Cells

Based on Bill Nye the Science Guy · Season 1, Episode 17 · 23 min

Have you ever looked closely at a brick wall? A massive building is just thousands of tiny bricks stacked together. Your body is built exactly the same way, but your "bricks" are alive!

Step 1 of 6 · Engage

Engage

Are You Made of Bricks?

Explore

Put Your Instincts to the Test

Think about what you already know about living things. Pick an answer for each question, then see if your instincts were right.

If a rabbit and a carrot are both made of cells, what is the biggest difference between their cells?

When you blow up a balloon with a little vanilla extract inside, why can you smell the vanilla from the outside?

Your skin is the fastest-growing organ in your body. How often do you replace your skin cells?

Explain

Understanding the Science

Tap each card to learn about the tiny, living compartments that make up every living thing on Earth.

Key Concepts

Try It: Interactive Cell Explorer

Click on the different parts of the detailed plant and animal cells below to explore their organelles and find out what jobs they do!

Try It: Interactive Cell Explorer

Click on the different parts of the detailed plant and animal cells below to explore their organelles and find out what jobs they do!

Select a Cell

Click the buttons above to switch cell types, then click on the specific organelles inside the cross-section to identify them!

Elaborate

Apply Your Knowledge

Now let us see if you can connect what you have learned to the real world.

Match the Cell Parts

Click an object to select it, then click the matching description to place it.

Organelles

Nucleus

Mitochondria

Cell Membrane

Cell Wall

The boss's office containing the DNA

The fireplace providing energy

The thin, flexible skin with doors

The rigid outer structure of a plant

Real-World Challenge

Imagine you are a scientist trying to figure out if a mysterious, unmoving green blob you found in a pond is actually a living creature. Based on what you learned in this episode, what would you look for under a microscope to prove it is alive? What specific organelles might you see because it is green?

Science Update

What Has Changed Since This Episode Aired

This episode of Bill Nye the Science Guy first aired in the 1990s. While the biology of a cell remains accurate, modern science has made some incredible discoveries about how many cells we actually have!

Evaluate

Test Your Understanding

Answer these questions and get instant feedback. How many can you get right?

Reflection

The episode showed that many of the foods we eat (like yoghurt, cheese, and bread) are actually made with the help of living cells (bacteria and yeast). Does knowing that there are living things involved in making your food change how you think about it? Why or why not?

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Cells

Introduction to Cells

What Are Cells and Why Are They Important?

Bill Nye’s Fun Experiments on Cells

How Do Cells Work?

Why Do Cells Divide?

Conclusion on Cells

More Seriously Scientific Links

Bill Nye The Science Guy

Season 1 (20 episodes)

Season 2 (20 episodes)

Season 3 (21 episodes)

Season 4 (19 episodes)

Season 5 (20 episodes)

Episode Discussion

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Cells

Are You Made of Bricks?

Put Your Instincts to the Test

Understanding the Science

Key Concepts

The Cell

Specialised Cells

The Nucleus

Mitochondria

Cell Membrane

Cell Walls

Mitosis

DNA & Genes

Try It: Interactive Cell Explorer

Try It: Interactive Cell Explorer

Select a Cell

Apply Your Knowledge

Match the Cell Parts

Real-World Challenge

What Has Changed Since This Episode Aired

Test Your Understanding

Results

Reflection