• A Cell is the Basic Unit of Life
• A cell membrane separates the cell from the outside world
• A cell has genes and can leave its own copy to offspring
• A cell makes energy and substances necessary for the cell to live
• A cell cooperates with other cells to structure the organism

The world is still fighting Covid-19 so I paid particular attention to the white blood cells. They are called white cells because they  don’t have hemoglobin and are not red. White blood cells have an immune response to protect the body from harmful substances that come in from outside the body. White blood cells are fighting against Covid-19 with the help of vaccines.

“What do you think helps white blood cells work?”

           (A) toothbrush           (B) dance        (C) smile

“Yes, (C). It is a SMILE.”

There is a theory that NK cells, a type of lymphocyte in white blood cells, are activated by a smile. Many people in the world have been depressed for more than two years due to the influence of Covid-19.

I hope a happy smile will help us survive this difficult time.

Reference materials: ヒトの細胞　技術評論社     細胞大図鑑　　　

Editing: Jim Hay