This document provides an introduction to cell biology. It discusses the objectives of familiarizing students with the early history of cell biology and the basic properties of cells. It describes how biology is divided into organismic biology, which focuses on whole organisms, and molecular and cellular biology, which studies cell interactions and functions. The key developments in cell theory are outlined, including the earliest observations of cells by Hooke, Leeuwenhoek, Schleiden, and Virchow. The document defines a cell and provides examples. It distinguishes between the two main types of cells - prokaryotic and eukaryotic - describing their characteristics and differences.