cell

n. In biology, one of the basic structures of most living organisms comprising a cell membrane delimiting its extent, a nucleus containing genetic and regulatory mechanisms and cytoplasm, all other constituents of the cell floating in a water solution. 2. In research design, the combination of two or more independent variables each at a particular level. As an example, a study of perception of emotion might have ethnicity and gender of subjects as independent variables, in which case Asian women might be one cell in the design.