Cell Biology Syllabus

Unit 1: Introduction to Cell Biology

• History of Cell Biology

• Cell as the basic unit of life

• Cell theory (classical and modern concepts)

• Attributes of living cells

• Broad classification of cell types

• Prokaryotic cells:

Bacteria

Archaea

Eukaryotic cells

Similarities and differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

Unit 2: Cell Structure and Organization

Structure of cells

Cell membrane: structure and components

Composition and architecture of the cell wall

• Structure and functions of organelles:

Mitochondria

Chloroplast

Nucleus

Golgi apparatus

Lysosomes

Ribosomes

Cytoskeleton: actin–myosin system

Extracellular matrix (ECM)

Unit 3: Cell Membrane and Transport

Physicochemical properties of the cell membrane

• Asymmetrical organization of:

Lipids

Proteins

Carbohydrates

Membrane proteins: pumps, channels, and transporters

• Transport of small molecules across membranes:

Passive transport

Active transport

Unit 4: Cell Division and Regulation

• Overview of cell division

• Molecular events of the eukaryotic cell cycle

• Phases of the cell cycle

• Cell cycle control proteins: cyclins and CDKs

• Cell cycle checkpoints and regulation

Unit 5: Cell Signaling

• Overview of cell signaling mechanisms

• G-protein coupled signaling pathways

• MAP kinase (MAPK) pathway: initiation and regulation

• Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) pathway

• Signal integration and cellular responses