cell-biology

## What I do - Study cell structure, organization, and function - Investigate cell signaling and communication - Analyze cell division and cycle regulation - Research organelle function and dynamics - Study cell death pathways (apoptosis, necrosis) - Investigate stem cells and differentiation ## When to use me - When studying cell morphology and organization - When analyzing cell signaling pathways - When investigating cell cycle regulation - When researching cancer cell biology - When studying cellular responses to stimuli - When working with cell culture systems ## Key Concepts ### Cell Structure **Major Organelles** - Nucleus: DNA storage, transcription, replication - Mitochondria: Energy production (ATP) - Endoplasmic Reticulum: Protein folding (RER), lipid synthesis (SER) - Golgi Apparatus: Protein modification and sorting - Lysosomes: Cellular digestion - Chloroplasts: Photosynthesis (plant cells) ### Cell Cycle Regulation ```python # Example: Cell cycle phases cell_cycle_phases = { 'G1': 'Cell growth and preparation', 'S': 'DNA replication', 'G2': 'Growth and preparation for mitosis', 'M': 'Mitotic division (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase)' } # Key regulators cyclins = ['Cyclin D', 'Cyclin E', 'Cyclin A', 'Cyclin B'] cdks = ['CDK4/6', 'CDK2', 'CDK2', 'CDK1'] ``` ### Signaling Pathways - Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) - G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) - Intracellular receptors (steroid hormones) - Second messengers (cAMP, Ca²⁺, IP₃) - MAPK/ERK pathway - PI3K/Akt pathway - JAK-STAT signaling