cell

name: cell description: Cellular biology fundamentals license: MIT compatibility: opencode metadata: audience: biologists, students, researchers category: biology

What I do

• Explain fundamental cellular processes and structures
• Describe cell membrane function and transport
• Analyze cellular energetics and metabolism
• Interpret cell signaling mechanisms
• Discuss cell division and reproduction
• Connect cellular processes to organismal function

When to use me

• When learning about basic cell biology concepts
• When explaining cellular mechanisms
• When connecting molecular events to cellular outcomes
• When studying cell-based diseases
• When preparing educational content about cells

Key Concepts

Cell Membrane

Fluid Mosaic Model

• Phospholipid bilayer
• Membrane proteins (integral, peripheral)
• Cholesterol
• Carbohydrate chains (glycocalyx)

Transport Mechanisms

• Passive diffusion: Small nonpolar molecules
• Facilitated diffusion: Channels, carriers
• Active transport: Pumps, ATP-dependent
• Vesicular transport: Exocytosis, endocytosis

Cellular Energetics

# ATP synthesis overview
def cellular_respiration():
    """Main energy production pathway."""
    return {
        'glycolysis': 'Glucose → 2 Pyruvate + 2 ATP',
        'krebs_cycle': 'Acetyl-CoA → CO2 + electron carriers',
        'etc': 'O2 + electrons → H2O + 34 ATP'
    }

Energy Carriers

• ATP: Primary energy currency
• NAD⁺/NADH: Electron carrier (catabolism)
• NADP⁺/NADPH: Electron carrier (anabolism)
• FAD/FADH₂: Electron carrier (mitochondria)