Why you should read this article:

•

To improve your knowledge of the fundamentals of cell division and genetics

•

To understand how errors during deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) replication can cause mutations in genes

•

To learn the laws of inheritance and how genes are passed from parents to offspring

This article is the first of a series that outlines the fundamental aspects of the biological basis of child health. Cells and genes are the basic units of life. Therefore, it is essential that nurses have knowledge of how cells function to understand normal physiology and pathophysiology, and how specific conditions are inherited. This article describes the components of the human cell, detailing their structure and function. It also discusses genetics, providing examples of inherited diseases including those caused by mutations that affect specific components of the cell. The aim is to provide children’s nurses with an accessible introduction to cell biology and genetics linked to their clinical practice.