Cellular Structure and Function

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Study of the structure and function of cells, including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.

Biomolecules: The basic building blocks of cellular structure and function are known as biomolecules. These include carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Cell Membrane: The cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, is a phospholipid bilayer that surrounds the cell and separates the internal and external environments.
Organelles: Specialized structures found within the cell that serve specific functions, such as the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus.
Cytoskeleton: The cytoskeleton is composed of proteins that provide structural support and shape to the cell, as well as aid in cell movement and division.
Cell Signaling: The process by which cells communicate with one another and respond to their environment through a variety of molecular mechanisms.
DNA Replication: The process by which DNA molecules are copied to produce new cells during cell division.
Protein Synthesis: The process by which proteins are synthesized within the cell through the transcription and translation of genetic information.
Enzymes: Catalysts that increase the rate of chemical reactions within the cell.
Metabolism: The sum of all chemical reactions that occur within the cell to maintain life, including energy production and utilization.
Cell Division: The processes by which cells divide to produce new cells, including mitosis and meiosis.
Cell Cycle: The sequence of events that occur during the life of a cell, including growth, replication, and division.
Cell Differentiation: The process by which cells become specialized and assume specific functions within different tissues and organs.
Cellular Respiration: The process by which cells produce ATP, the energy currency of the cell, through oxidative metabolism.
Photosynthesis: The process by which plants and some bacteria produce organic compounds and oxygen through the absorption of light energy.
Transport Across the Cell Membrane: The processes by which molecules move across the cell membrane, including diffusion, osmosis, and active transport.
Membrane Transport Proteins: Proteins located within the cell membrane that aid in the transport of molecules across the membrane.
Ion Channels: Proteins located within the cell membrane that allow the passage of ions across the membrane.
Cell Adhesion: The process by which cells attach to one another and form tissues and organs.
Extracellular Matrix: The non-cellular material that surrounds cells and provides support and structure to tissues and organs.
Cell Signaling Pathways: Intracellular pathways activated by cell signaling that regulate diverse cellular functions, such as growth, differentiation, and metabolism.
Nucleus: The nucleus is the control center of the cell that stores genetic material or DNA.
Endoplasmic reticulum: This structure is responsible for protein and lipid synthesis, processing, and transport.
Golgi apparatus: The Golgi apparatus sorts and packages proteins for transport to different parts of the cell or out of the cell.
Mitochondria: Responsible for energy production, cellular respiration, and metabolism.
Lysosomes: Lysosomes contain enzymes that break down and recycle cellular waste and foreign substances.
Cytoskeleton: The cytoskeleton provides structural support to the cell and is responsible for cell movement.
Cell membrane: The cell membrane is a thin layer of lipids and proteins that surrounds the cell, regulating the movement of substances in and out of the cell.
Chloroplasts: Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant cells that carry out photosynthesis, producing energy from sunlight.
Peroxisomes: Peroxisomes are organelles that break down hydrogen peroxide and other toxic substances.
Vacuoles: Vacuoles are responsible for storage and transport of various substances within the cell.
Centrioles: Centrioles play a role in cell division and the formation of the cytoskeleton.
Ribosomes: Responsible for protein synthesis.
Prokaryotic cells: Simple cells without a distinct nucleus, characterized by their small size and lack of membrane-bound organelles.
Eukaryotic cells: Complex cells with a distinct nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Amyloplasts: Specialized plastids that store starch.
Nucleolus: The nucleolus is a substructure within the nucleus where ribosomal RNA is synthesized.
Flagella: Long, slender structures used for cell movement.
Cilia: Short, hair-like structures that move fluid or mucus over the surface of a cell.
Microvilli: Finger-shaped projections on the surface of cells that increase the cell’s surface area for absorption and secretion.
Tight junctions: Protein complexes that seal adjacent cells together, preventing the leakage of fluids and other substances between them.
Desmosomes: Similar junctions between cells that provide structural support, helping to withstand mechanical stress.
Gap junctions: Protein channels that allow direct communication between adjacent cells, facilitating the sharing of ions and other small molecules.
"Cell biology (also cellular biology or cytology) is a branch of biology that studies the structure, function, and behavior of cells."
"A cell is the basic unit of life that is responsible for the living and functioning of organisms."
"Cell biology encompasses both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and has many subtopics which may include the study of cell metabolism, cell communication, cell cycle, biochemistry, and cell composition."
"The study of cells is performed using several microscopy techniques, cell culture, and cell fractionation."
"These have allowed for and are currently being used for discoveries and research pertaining to how cells function, ultimately giving insight into understanding larger organisms."
"Research in cell biology is interconnected to other fields such as genetics, molecular genetics, molecular biology, medical microbiology, immunology, and cytochemistry."
"Knowing the components of cells and how cells work is fundamental to all biological sciences while also being essential for research in biomedical fields such as cancer and other diseases."
"A cell is the basic unit of life that is responsible for the living and functioning of organisms."
"The study of cell metabolism, cell communication, cell cycle, biochemistry, and cell composition."
"Cell biology encompasses both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells."
"The study of cells is performed using...cell culture."
"These have allowed for and are currently being used for discoveries and research pertaining to how cells function."
"Knowing the components of cells and how cells work is essential for research in biomedical fields such as cancer and other diseases."
"Research in cell biology is interconnected to other fields such as genetics, molecular genetics, molecular biology, medical microbiology, immunology, and cytochemistry."
"These have allowed for and are currently being used for discoveries and research pertaining to how cells function, ultimately giving insight into understanding larger organisms."
"The study of cells is performed using several microscopy techniques."
"Cell biology studies the structure, function, and behavior of cells."
"A cell is the basic unit of life."
"The study of cells is performed using several microscopy techniques, cell culture, and cell fractionation."
"Cell biology encompasses...cell communication."