softCell e-learning

Cells are the fundamental unit of living organisms. Biologists have studied cells for centuries in order to understand their physiological properties, their structure, the organelles they harbour, interactions between cells and with their extracellular environment, their life cycle, how they divide and how they die.

Modern cell biologists use a multitude of techniques from whole organism microscopy rightdown to the molecular level investigating the proteins and the genetics of cellular components and cell functions. Cell biology research encompasses both the great diversity of single-celled organisms like bacteria and protozoa, as well as the myriad specialised cells in multicellular organisms such as humans and plants. Cell biology is at the core of developmental biology and stem cell research as well as immunology and cancer biology.

This page is the start point for your journey into cell biology. We hope you enjoy learning about the life of cells!

Cell and Molecular Biology – general information

  1. Cell and Molecular Biology at work – that’s you
  2. Why cell biology is so important
  3. Cell biology – people, tools and techniques
  4. Where are cells found?
  5. What is a cell?
  6. Further learning
  7. Careers and courses

Cells unpacked – a look inside at cell inclusions

Take a look around the cell components  by exploring the links below – you can also visit CELLpics from these pages this is our interactive sister site based around research-level microscope images.

  1. Introduction
  2. Centrioles
  3. Cytoskeleton
  4. Endoplasmic Reticulum (Rough ER and Smooth ER)
  5. Extracellular Matrix and Cell Adhesion Molecules
  6. Golgi Apparatus
  7. Lysosome
  8. Mitochondrion
  9. Nuclear Envelope
  10. Nuclear Pore
  11. Peroxisome
  12. Ribosomes
  13. Vacuole (plants)

Key Concepts and Concept Messages:

The society of cells & a community of reactions!

  1. Introduction
  2. Building Up and Taking Down
  3. Cell Cycle Control
  4. Cell Signalling – Interim note
  5. Cell Structure and Function
  6. Regenerative Biology and Stem Cells – Interim note
  7. Chemistry and Cells
  8. Pathways of Metabolism
  9. Water and Cells
  10. Programmed Cell death, Apoptosis or cell ‘suicide’ – Interim note
  11. Epigenetics – It’s not just genes that make us
  12. Cancer Biology