細胞(さいぼう)

さいぼう
noun
cell
1. cell (biological)
The smallest structural and functional unit of living organisms, typically microscopic and consisting of cytoplasm and a nucleus enclosed in a membrane.
The human body is made up of approximately 37 trillion cells.
I observed cells under a microscope.
Cancer cells multiply abnormally.

細胞(さいぼう) refers to biological cells. 細(さい) means 'small/fine' and 胞(ぼう) means 'sac/cell.'

Types

Compounds

  • 細胞(さいぼう)分裂(ぶんれつ): cell division
  • 細胞膜(さいぼうまく): cell membrane
  • 細胞核(さいぼうかく): cell nucleus
  • 細胞(さいぼう)壁(へき): cell wall (in plants)

Common expressions