🧫 Cell Biology — Intro#

Scope — Basic cell structure, major organelles, and core cellular processes.

Key concepts#

• Cell — basic unit of life; prokaryotic vs eukaryotic.
• Organelles — nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, ribosomes.
• Membrane — phospholipid bilayer, selective transport, membrane proteins.

Seed Q&A triads#

• Q: What distinguishes a eukaryotic cell from a prokaryotic cell?
  A: Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles and a nucleus; prokaryotes do not.

• Q: What is the primary function of mitochondria?
  A: ATP production via oxidative phosphorylation; they are the cell’s energy converters.

• Q: How do proteins reach the cell membrane or get secreted?
  A: Synthesized on the rough ER, processed in the Golgi, then packaged into vesicles for transport.

Quick activities#

• Label a simple eukaryotic cell diagram and list one function for each organelle.