What is Cell biology?
'''Cell biology''' is the study of how living [[cell]]s work. This includes the [[structure]] and [[Function (biology)|function]] of the cell [[organelle]]s, and the [[carbon]]-based [[molecule]]s which cells produce. Cell biology is an [[interdisciplinary]] subject, and uses ideas from [[genetics]], [[biochemistry]], [[molecular biology]], [[immunology]], and other subjects and techniques. The most important molecules in cell biology are [[DNA]], [[RNA]] and [[protein]]s.<ref>Gall JG & McIntosh JR eds 2001. ''Landmark papers in cell biology''. Bethesda, MD and Cold Spring Harbor, NY: The American Society for Cell Biology and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.</ref> The most important structures in the cell are the [[Cell nucleus|nucleus]] and the [[chromosome]]s, but there are others.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Organelle|url=https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Organelle|access-date=2025-01-07|website=www.genome.gov|language=en}}</ref>The structure of [[eukaryote|eukaryotic]] cells is much more complex than [[prokaryote|prokaryotic]] cells. This is because [[endosymbiosis]] has occurred: some or all of the eukaryote organelles are former prokaryotes. Examples are [[mitochondria]] and [[plastid]]s.<ref>Alberts B, Johnson A. Lewis J. Raff M. Roberts K. Walter P. 2008. ''Molecular biology of the cell'', 5th ed. Garland.</ref><ref>Lodish H. Berk A. Matsudaira P. Kaiser CA. Krieger M. Scott MP. Zipurksy SL. Darnell J. 2004. ''Molecular cell biology'', 5th ed. WH Freeman: NY.</ref> The most important function of cells is to [[cell division|divide]] by [[mitosis]] or [[meiosis]]. Cells in a [[multicellular organism]] also specialise in [[Differentiation|different]] functions.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cell Function {{!}} SEER Training|url=https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/cells_tissues_membranes/cells/function.html|access-date=2025-01-07|website=training.seer.cancer.gov}}</ref> *[[Cytology]] is mostly about the appearance and structure of cells. == References == {{Reflist}} {{biology-stub}} [[Category:Cell