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Resource Center
Cell Biology
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What Is Cell Biology?
Cell biology (also known as cell biology or cytology) is a branch of biology that focuses on studying cell structure and function, how cells form and divide, and how they differentiate and specialize. Cell biology defines the general characteristics shared by most cell types - all living matter is composed of cells, which are the basic units of life responsible for the survival and function of organisms. It also dissects the unique features of specialized cells - single celled organisms primarily composed of prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea) differ structurally from eukaryotes because they lack membrane-bound organelles, which in turn can perform different functions. Cell biology includes prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and has many thematic studies that may include research on cell metabolism, cell communication, cell cycle, biochemistry, and cell composition. Cell research is conducted using several microscopy techniques, cell culture, and cell grading.
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Cell Division
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Metabolism
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Cytoskeleton
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Signal Transduction
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Cell Motility
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Cell Shape Changes
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Organelle Biogenesis and Inheritance
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Cell Wall and Cell Membrane Biogenesis
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Protein Sorting and Trafficking
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Nutrients and Growth Control
Cell Cycle
The cell cycle is divided into four distinct phases: G1, S, G2, and M. The G phase – which is the cell growth phase – makes up approximately 95% of the cycle. The proliferation of cells is instigated by progenitors. All cells start out in an identical form and can essentially become any type of cells. Cell signaling such as induction can influence nearby cells to determinate the type of cell it will become. Moreover, this allows cells of the same type to aggregate and form tissues, then organs, and ultimately systems.
The G1, G2, and S phase (DNA replication, damage and repair) are considered to be the interphase portion of the cycle, while the M phase (mitosis) is the cell division portion of the cycle. Mitosis is composed of many stages which include, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis, respectively. The ultimate result of mitosis is the formation of two identical daughter cells.
Reference
Alberts, Bruce; Johnson, Alexander D.; Morgan, David; Raff, Martin; Roberts, Keith; Walter, Peter (2015). "Cells and genomes". Molecular Biology of the Cell (6th ed.). New York, NY: Garland Science. pp. 1–42. ISBN 978-0815344322.
Bisceglia, Nick. "Cell Biology". Scitable. www.nature.com.
Gupta, P. (1 December 2005). Cell and Molecular Biology. Rastogi Publications. p. 11. ISBN 978-8171338177.
https://en.wikipedia.org/