Introduction to Cell Biology

1. Cellular Processes
   1. Cell Metabolism
      1. Anabolism
         1. Definition and purpose
         2. Examples of anabolic pathways
            1. Protein synthesis
            2. Nucleotide synthesis
            3. Lipid synthesis
      2. Catabolism
         1. Definition and purpose
         2. Examples of catabolic pathways
            1. Glycolysis
            2. Krebs cycle
            3. Beta-oxidation
      3. Importance of ATP
         1. Role as energy currency
         2. ATP hydrolysis and energy release
         3. ATP synthesis
            1. Oxidative phosphorylation
            2. Substrate-level phosphorylation
   2. Cell Communication and Signaling
      1. Types of signaling
         1. Autocrine signaling
            1. Definition and examples
            2. Role in feedback regulation
         2. Paracrine signaling
            1. Definition and examples
            2. Role in local tissue environments
         3. Endocrine signaling
            1. Definition and examples
            2. Hormone function across distances
         4. Juxtacrine signaling
            1. Direct contact signaling
            2. Examples in development and immune response
      2. Signal transduction pathways
         1. Components
            1. Ligands
            2. Receptors
            3. Second messengers
         2. Common pathways
            1. G-protein-coupled receptor pathways
            2. Receptor tyrosine kinases
            3. MAPK/ERK pathway
         3. Role in cellular responses
            1. Gene expression modulation
            2. Metabolic pathway regulation
            3. Apoptosis induction
   3. Cell Cycle
      1. Phases
         1. Interphase
            1. G1 phase
               1. Cell growth
               2. Protein synthesis
            2. S phase
               1. DNA replication
               2. Chromosome duplication
            3. G2 phase
               1. Preparation for mitosis
               2. DNA repair mechanisms
         2. Mitotic phase (M phase)
            1. Prophase
               1. Chromatin condensation
               2. Mitotic spindle formation
            2. Metaphase
               1. Chromosome alignment
               2. Spindle checkpoint
            3. Anaphase
               1. Sister chromatid separation
            4. Telophase
               1. Nuclear envelope reformation
               2. Chromosome decondensation
         3. Cytokinesis
            1. Cytoplasmic division
            2. Mechanisms in animal and plant cells
      2. Regulation
         1. Checkpoints
            1. G1/S checkpoint
               1. Cell size and DNA damage check
            2. G2/M checkpoint
               1. DNA replication completeness
            3. Metaphase checkpoint
               1. Chromosome-spindle attachment check
         2. Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs)
            1. Cyclin-CDK complexes
            2. Regulation of cell cycle progression
            3. Degradation sequences for cycle transition
   4. Cell Division
      1. Mitosis
         1. Purpose and biological significance
         2. Detailed stages
            1. Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase
            2. Role and characteristics in each stage
         3. Cytokinesis specifics
            1. Cleavage furrow in animal cells
            2. Cell plate formation in plant cells
      2. Meiosis
         1. Purpose in sexual reproduction
         2. Stages of Meiosis I and II
            1. Reductional and equational divisions
            2. Detailed phases: Prophase I, Metaphase I, Anaphase I, Telophase I, and Prophase II, Metaphase II, Anaphase II, Telophase II
         3. Genetic variation
            1. Crossing-over during Prophase I
            2. Independent assortment during Metaphase I and II
            3. Random fertilization effect