Final answer:
Cells perform various essential functions, such as transporting materials, building complex molecules, movement, reproduction, and communication, all of which require energy provided by ATP.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cells in the human body perform various types of work essential for maintaining life. Some of the kinds of work that a cell does include:
- Transporting materials: For instance, red blood cells transport oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.
- Building complex molecules: An example is ribosomes in a cell synthesizing proteins from amino acids.
- Movement: Muscle cells contract to create motion, such as contracting and relaxing to pump blood through the heart or moving limbs.
- Reproduction: Sperm and egg cells are specialized for the process of reproduction, carrying genetic information and fusing to form a new organism.
- Cellular communication: Nerve cells, with long extensions, carry messages to other cells, facilitating communication within the body.
All these cellular functions require energy, which is provided by ATP (Adenosine triphosphate), created from the breakdown of sugars and fats through cellular respiration.