What you'll learn

Explore the basics of cell theory and the history of cell discovery, gaining a clear understanding of why cells are considered the fundamental units of life.
Understand the roles of essential cellular components such as the nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and cell membrane.
Dive into essential cellular processes such as cellular respiration, protein synthesis, and mitosis.
Connect cell structure and function to larger biological systems, providing insights into fields like genetics, immunology, and physiology.
Learn how each organelle contributes to the cell's overall functionality, including processes like energy production, waste management, transport of molecules.

Course content

5 sections • 58 lectures • 4h 28m total length

Introduction of Cell Theory3:59
Discovery of Cell5:15
History of Cell Theory1:24
Hooke and van Leeuwenhoek's observations inspired Schwann and Schleiden to propose cells are the basic building blocks of all living things. Virchow showed cells arise by division, uniting cell theory.
Seeing Inside Cells2:18
Structures Shared by all Cells4:38
Prokaryotic Cell & Eukaryotic Cell19:05
Cell Parts1:20
Cell Organelles17:51

2.1. About Plasma Membrane5:39
2.2. Functions of Plasma Membrane2:52
2.3. Selective Permeability1:42
2.4. Fluid Mosaic0:48
2.5. Components of a Phospholipid Bilayer1:22
2.6. Membrane Proteins3:40
2.7. Transport Protein2:49
2.8. Cellular Transport3:42
2.9. Diffusion3:30
2.10. Factors Affecting Rate of Diffusion5:34
2.11. Osmosis4:57
2.12. Water Balance of Cells Without Walls3:23
Explains tonicity in cells without walls, showing isotonic solutions with equal solute concentrations and no water movement, and hypertonic solutions driving water movement that can shrink or swell the cell.
2.13. Difference Between Osmosis and Diffusion2:06
2.14. Plasma Membrane1:20
2.15. Facilitated Diffusion2:26
Explore facilitated diffusion, a protein-assisted passive transport with ion channels, aquaporins, and glucose transporters, and bicarbonate chloride co-transporters. Compare to energy-driven active transport moving substances against the gradient.
2.16. Exocytosis and Endocytosis7:03

3.1. Nucleus or Nucleolus5:16
3.2. Genetic Material2:18
3.3. Types of Nucleic Acid2:30
Describe dna and rna as double-stranded and single-stranded, with thymine versus uracil bases and deoxyribose versus ribose backbones.
3.4. Nucleotides & Genetic Organization3:09
3.5. Composition of DNA4:00
3.6. Pairing The Nitrogenous Bases in DNA1:15
3.7. Structure of DNA1:29
3.8. RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)1:10
3.9. Differences Between DNA and RNA1:07
Explore key differences between dna and rna, including thymine versus uracil, cytosine in both, single-stranded rna versus double-stranded dna, ribose versus deoxyribose, and their relative size and localization.
3.10. Mitochondria7:53
3.11. Chloroplast11:23
3.12. Endoplasmic Reticulum7:14
Endoplasmic reticulum forms a continuous membrane system with rough and smooth regions, supporting protein synthesis by ribosomes, processing near the nucleus, and delivering products to the Golgi.
3.13. Golgi Apparatus8:29
3.14. Lysosomes, Its Properties and Functions16:54
Encounter lysosomes, membrane-bound organelles housing acid hydrolases that enable intracellular and extracellular digestion. Examine how they drive autophagy, phagocytosis, and the regulated release of enzymes via exocytosis.
3.15. Peroxisome and Its Functions10:51
Peroxisomes oxidize fats and detoxify hydrogen peroxide with catalase, supporting plant beta-oxidation and glyoxylate cycle, photorespiration, and human liver lipid and purine metabolism.

4.1. Cytoskeleton3:08
Discover how the cytoskeleton shapes cells, provides rigidity, and enables movement and transport of organelles. Identify actin filaments (microfilaments), microtubules, and intermediate filaments as the main filament types.
4.2. Why Filaments5:25
4.3. Roles of The Cytoskeleton0:40
4.4. The Structure and Function of the Cytoskeleton3:18
Explore the cytoskeleton's structure and function, comparing microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments, their tubulin and actin subunits, and roles in cell shape, motility, division, organelle movement, and nuclear anchorage.
4.5. Structural Support1:20
4.6. Motor Molecule and Microtubule of Cytoskeleton4:08
4.7. Cilia and Flagella2:51
4.8. Microfilaments2:20
4.9. Intermediate Filaments0:46

5.1. Cell Walls of Plants5:17
Explore how extracellular components coordinate cell activities, focusing on plant cell walls—made of cellulose fibers with polysaccharides and proteins—and their roles in protection and shape.
5.2. Layers of Plant Cell Walls5:45
Identify and describe the three plant cell wall layers—the primary cell wall, middle lamella, and secondary cell wall—and explain how plasmodesmata connect plant cells and relate to the central vacuole.
5.3. The Extracellular Matrix (ECM) of Animal Cells2:43
5.4. Roles of Extracellular Matrix (ECM)1:40
5.5. Intercellular Junctions6:33
5.6. Plasmodesmata in Plant Cells1:27
5.7. Tight Junctions, Desmosomes, and Gap junctions in Animal Cells3:30
Describe tight junctions that seal membranes and prevent glucose flow between cells, desmosomes that anchor cells into strong sheets, and gap junctions that form cytoplasmic channels for intercellular passage.
5.8. Cell Adhesion Molecules (CAMs) and Its Types12:10
5.9. The Extracellular Matrix (ECM) and Its Types6:22
5.10. Collagens, Fibronectin, Proteoglycans and Hyaluronan4:59
Collagens provide tensile strength in connective tissue, with types I, II, III, and V forming fibrils, while proteoglycans and hyaluronan create extracellular matrix gels; fibronectin supports adhesion and wound healing.

Requirements

Basic understanding of general biology concepts.
Interest in learning about cellular biology and life sciences.
No advanced science background is needed; this course is suitable for beginners.
Access to a device with an internet connection for online course materials.
Willingness to engage in interactive activities and assignments for better understanding.

Description

Cells are the fundamental building blocks of life, forming the basis of all living organisms. Understanding cell structure and function is essential for exploring biology, health, and medicine. This course provides an in-depth look into the organization, components, and roles of cells, helping learners grasp how life operates at the microscopic level.

In this course, you’ll learn about the primary parts of a cell: the nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, cell membrane, and various specialized organelles. Each component plays a critical role in maintaining cellular function, from energy production and nutrient transport to genetic regulation and waste removal. Through interactive modules, visual aids, and hands-on activities, students will discover the significance of each organelle and its relationship to the whole cell's functionality.

In addition to understanding cell structure, you’ll delve into key cellular processes such as mitosis, cellular respiration, and protein synthesis. Learning how cells grow, divide, and respond to their environments provides insights into larger systems within the body, including tissue health and the immune response.

This course is designed for students, educators, and anyone interested in exploring cellular biology in greater detail. It encourages curiosity about how cells adapt to various conditions and respond to different signals. By the end, you’ll have a foundational understanding of cell biology, preparing you for further studies in biology, health sciences, and related fields. This knowledge is applicable in diverse disciplines, making it a valuable addition to any biological sciences education.

Who this course is for:

Students – High school or college students looking to strengthen their understanding of cell biology as part of their science curriculum or those preparing for exams in biology and life sciences.
Educators – Teachers or tutors who want to reinforce their knowledge of cell biology to better support their students with clear explanations, visual aids, and foundational insights into cellular structures and processes.
Biology Enthusiasts – Anyone with a curiosity about life at the cellular level, interested in learning more about how cells function, adapt, and play essential roles in the survival of living organisms.
Healthcare and Science Aspirants – Individuals considering careers in healthcare, medicine, or scientific research, seeking a foundational course to begin exploring concepts they’ll encounter in more advanced studies.
Self-Learners and Lifelong Learners – People who enjoy expanding their knowledge base and are keen to understand the inner workings of cells, the smallest units of life, through an accessible, beginner-friendly format.
Parents or Guardians – Parents who want to support their children’s biology studies and would benefit from a structured, guided approach to understanding the essentials of cellular biology.

What you'll learn

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Course content

Module 1: Overview of Cell Structure8 lectures • 56min

Module 2: Plasma Membrane and Transport Mechanisms16 lectures • 53min

Module 3: Organelles and Their Functions15 lectures • 1hr 25min

Module 4: Cytoskeleton and Cell Shape9 lectures • 24min

Module 5: Cell Junctions and Extracellular Matrix (ECM)10 lectures • 50min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: