What does molecular cell biology study?

Molecular cell biology focuses on understanding the structures and functions within cells at a molecular level. This field examines the various components that compose cells, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates, and how these components interact to carry out cellular functions. By studying the molecular makeup of cells, researchers can gain insights into the mechanisms that govern cellular processes, signaling pathways, and the overall physiology of living organisms.

While transport mechanisms in cells are indeed a significant aspect of cell biology, they fall under the broader study of how cellular components interact. The study of ecosystems pertains more to ecology, and photosynthesis is a specific biochemical process that is often addressed within plant biology or biochemistry rather than molecular cell biology as a whole. Thus, focusing on the structures that make up the cell aligns best with the main emphasis of molecular cell biology.