rulEBOOK

Hello fellow science gamers!

I keep growing as a designer year by year and I have you to thank for that! The first edition of Cytosis has
a special place in my heart, but after many hours of playing Cytosis, discussing the game, and reflecting
critically about how the experience it offers could be improved, I decided to refine a few things for the 2nd
Edition. I am thrilled at how much people have loved Cytosis and that we are able to continue to print
Cytosis, and even offer it in multiple languages.
2 Player Board - The 2 player variant of Cytosis has been a big hit, but many people mentioned that it
was difficult to remember all the modifications to the board while playing it. So we’ve included a 2 player
side of the board, with the proper number of spots.
Re-designed Rulebook - Many parts of the rulebook have been rewritten, with a number of clarifications
that have been incorporated based upon player feedback, and improved graphic design to boot.
Resource Multipliers - All ATP and macromolecules are unlimited. So, we added 5x ATP Tokens and
Resource Multipliers that represent 5 of each corresponding macromolecule.
Virus Expansion - Sorting through both the base game and expansion material on first opening the box
made learning the game cumbersome. And not everyone wanted the expansion, but was still forced to pay
the extra money for it since it was included in the box. So we made the Virus expansion its own separate
box and reduced the price of the base game.
Card Modifications - We removed the three Toxicity event cards because they seemed to detract from,
rather than add to, the overall experience of Cytosis. We also increased the number of Macromolecules
given from the Macromolecule Resource cards and added an addition Goal Card to add some variability.
From the bottom of my heart, thanks to each of you who have helped in the very collaborative process of
creating both the 1st and 2nd editions of Cytosis. Cytosis opened the door for a lot of growth at Genius
Games. And now we have several more games in the pipeline that are every bit as geeky and every bit as fun.
Looking forward to sharing them with you.
Overflowing with appreciation,

John J. Coveyou

CReDITS
GAME DESIGN: John J. Coveyou GAME DEVELOPMENT: John J. Coveyou | Shelley Spence
ART & GRAPHIC DESIGN: Tomasz Bogusz RULEBOOK DESIGN: Sarah Lafser
RULEBOOK WRITING & EDITING: John J. Coveyou | Shelley Spence | Chance Remmel | Swarnava Banerjee
SCIENCE ADVISORS: Danny Cooper, PhD | Elizabeth Gurnack | Edward Brian Rader
KEY PLAYTESTERS: Danny Cooper, PhD | Courtney Falk | Jonathan Grothe | Bharath Kishore
Jonathan Leggo | Preston Lingle | Edward Brian Rader | Susan Rice | Sunny Singh | John Walker
SPECIAL THANKS: Dr. Michael Bialecki, PhD | Danny Cooper, PhD | Upkar Gata-Aura | Edmond Gravel
Richard Ham | Gábor Géza Kiss | Sarah Lafser | Jonathan Leggo | Iñigo Maestro | Oglik Naes | Petar Perisin
Dr. Jörn Peuser | Kenneth Stuart | Jonas Thierry | Margaret Walker
SCIENCE CONTENT COMPILATION: Stephen J. Bush, PhD | Dr. Karl Jenkinson, PhD
Nicole M. Milkovic, PhD | Jennifer C. Schroeder, PhD | Dr. Bryan G. White
SCIENCE CONTENT EDITORS: Dr. Michael Bialecki, PhD | Mike Christensen | John J. Coveyou
Zach Grimes | L.A. Johnson PhD, DSc | Gábor Géza Kiss | Aitan Magence | Sarita Menon, PhD
Myra Nati, MPH | Dr. Duong T. Nguyen | Christopher Olivera, PhD | Erin Syverson, MGC, CGC
Annalisa VanHook, PhD | Dr. Jonathan Chi Man Wong | Dr. Fabian Yu, PhD
 CYTOSIS: A CeLL BIOLOGY GAMe
A game that takes place inside a human cell for 2 - 5 players

GAMe SUMMARY
Cytosis is a worker placement game that takes place inside a human cell. Players start out with a number
of flasks and on their turn, they place one of their flasks on any available location within that cell. Some
locations provide players with resources (e.g., mRNA, ATP) and some with actions (e.g., convert resources,
purchase cards). Resources are used to build enzymes, hormones, and/or receptors, which score Health
Points. The player with the most Health Points at the end of the game wins!

COMPONeNTS
43 CELL COMPONENT CARDS 1 FIRST PLAYER MARKER 66 MACROMOLECULE CUBES
• 10 Enzyme Cards • 18 Black mRNA Cubes
• 6 Protein Hormone Cards • 18 Red Protein Cubes
• 6 Steroid Hormone Cards • 15 Green Carbohydrate Cubes
• 5 Steroid Hormone Receptor Cards • 15 Yellow Lipid Cubes
• 5 Protein Hormone Receptor Cards
• 4 Macromolecule Cards
• 7 Alcohol Detoxification Cards
45 PLAYER PIECES
• 20 Flasks 8 MULTIPLIERS
(4 of each in 5 different colors) Each Multiplier is worth 5 cubes of the
• 10 Transport Vesicle Disks
corresponding macromolecule.
(2 of each in 5 different colors)
• 2 Black mRNA Multipliers
• 15 Player Markers
(3 of each in 5 different colors) • 2 Red Protein Multipliers
• 2 Green Carbohydrate Multipliers
• 2 Yellow Lipid Tokens Multipliers

6 GOAL CARDS 2 GREY FLASKS

1 DOUBLE-SIDED GAME BOARD

25 ATP TOKENS
• 20 Blue ATP Tokens (1 ATP)
• 5 Orange ATP Tokens (5 ATP)

12 EVeNT CARDS
• 3 Glucose Transporter
Boost Cards
• 3 Nucleus Boost Cards
• 3 Respiration Boost Cards
• 1 Smooth ER Boost Card
• 2 Reduce ATP Cost Cards

2
 2 Player Board 3+ Player Board
GAMe SeTUP
1 Place the board on the table with the correct side face up according
to the number of players. Separate the macromolecule cubes
into like colors, placing them in piles near the board. Then, place
the ATP Tokens in a pile near the board. These 5 piles make up
the general supply. Next, place the 2 Grey Flasks on the Grey
Flask area of the board.

2 Separate the 3 types of cards: Event Cards, Goal Cards, and

Cell Component Cards.

3 Randomly select a number of Event Cards according

to the chart to the right. Shuffle them and then place
Number of Number of
them face down as a deck above the game board. Place Event Cards Goal Cards
any unused Event Cards back in the box.
2 Players 10 3
4 Randomly select a number of Goal Cards according to the 3 Players 10 4
chart to the right and place them face up above the game 4 Players 11 5
board. Place any unused Goal Cards back in the box. 5 Players 12 5

5 Shuffle the Cell Component Cards. (If playing a 2-player game, randomly remove 3 Alcohol Detoxification
Cards and place them back in the box). Now, flip 4 of these cards face up into the 4 slots of the Cell
Component Card Area of the board.

6 Deal each player 3 Cell Component Cards. Each player secretly chooses 2 to keep and shuffles the
unchosen one back into the remaining Cell Component Cards to form a deck. Place the Cell Component
deck face down to the right of the board.

7 Give each player a set of Player Pieces according to the chart below. Each player’s pieces should all be of
the same color. Then, each player should place one of their Markers on the “0” on the Health Track (the
numeric score track surrounding the game board). This is a player’s Health Marker.

2 or 3
4 Flasks
player game

4 player game 3 Flasks

+ 2 Transport
+ 3 Markers
Vesicle Disks (1 Health Marker,
2 Goal Markers)
5 player game 2 Flasks

8 The player who most recently looked into a microscope receives the First Player Marker.

9 The first player collects 2 ATP, the player to their left collects 3 ATP, the next player 4 ATP, and so on until all
players have collected ATP. Each player then collects 2 additional resources (any combination of ATP, black
mRNA or yellow Lipids). All resources a player collects throughout the game are added to their personal stock.

3
You are now ready to play!
 Here’s what setup for a 4 player game looks like

Player 3 Player 4
9

7
4

6
Player 2 Player 1

8
4
 Gameplay Gameplay is different for a 2 Player game. See page 14 for modifications.

Game Summary
Cytosis is played in rounds, each of which is divided into two phases. In Phase 1, players place their flasks to
collect resources and take actions with the goal of completing Cell Component Cards and thus scoring Health
Points. Once all players have placed all their flasks, Phase 1 ends and Phase 2 begins. In Phase 2, the board will
be refreshed and an Event Card will be revealed.

Rounds continue until the last Event Card is revealed. Players play one final round and then add up their total
number of Health Points. The player with the most Health Points wins!

PHASe 1: Place Flasks

Every round, the player holding the First Player Marker will be the first player to take their turn, then play
continues clockwise.

On their turn, a player must place exactly 1 of their flasks on any available spot on the board and then immediately
collect the resources or take the action associated with that spot. Then, the player to their left (i.e. clockwise) now
takes their turn. Turns continue clockwise (with each player placing 1 flask) until all flasks have been placed.
Note: Flasks placed on the board must remain where they have been placed until the board is refreshed in Phase 2.

Only 1 flask may be placed on each spot. If a spot is occupied with a flask, it is not available for the rest of that round.

Instead of placing a flask, a player may choose to exhaust their flask by tipping it over and collecting
a single black mRNA, yellow Lipid, or ATP. Any exhausted flasks may not be placed that round.

There are 4 types of flask placement spots:

1. Collecting Resources (to add to your personal stock)
2. Purchasing Cell Component Cards (to add to your hand)
3. Completing Cell Component Cards (completed over multiple turns)
4. Taking the First Player Marker (and Placing a Goal Marker or Collecting 1 ATP)

PHASe 2: ReFReSH BOARD AND ReVeAL EVeNT CARD

1 All players should retrieve the flasks they placed during Phase 1 and return the Grey Flasks to the Grey
Flask Area of the game board. (Transport Vesicle Disks and any macromolecules on them should stay on the board.)

2 Remove the left-most card from the Cell Component Card Area of the board and place it in the Cell
Component discard pile. Then, without changing the order of the cards, slide any remaining face up Cell
Component Cards to the left-most open slot(s). Now, fill any newly opened slot(s) with cards from the top
of the Cell Component deck.
If there are no cards remaining in the Cell Component deck, shuffle the Cell Component discard pile and
place it face down as the Cell Component deck.

3 Now, reveal the top card from the Event deck and follow the instructions on that card. This new Event
Card is the only active Event Card. Any Event Cards from previous rounds become inactive.

Ending the Game

Revealing the last Event Card marks the last round of the game. Play through Phase 1 one final time and
instead of going through Phase 2, skip directly to Scoring.
5
FLASK Placement spots
The game board contains a number of spots on which players can place their flasks.

1. Collecting Resources (to add to your personal stock)

All placement spots with numbers in them allow players to collect resources in some way from the general
supply. The number in each spot indicates how many resources they collect. All resources a player collects are
immediately added to their personal stock.

Note: All resources in the game (macromolecules and ATP) are considered to be unlimited. If the
general supply runs out of any resource, players should utilize the 5x Multipliers and orange 5x ATP. If
players need more than what the Multipliers can provide, please use other materials as a proxy.

NUCLEUS (DNA Transcription)

If a player places on the spot marked with a 3 or a 2, they collect 3 or 2 black
mRNA respectively.

FREE RIBOSOME (mRNA Translation)

If a player places on the mRNA Translation spot, they must return any number of
black mRNA from their personal stock to the general supply and collect the same
number of red Proteins from the general supply.

SMOOTH ER (Lipid Synthesis)

If a player places on the spot marked with a 3 or a 2, they collect 3 or 2 yellow
Lipids respectively.

PLASMA MEMBRANE (Glucose Transporter)

If a player places on the spot marked with a 2, they must pay exactly 2 ATP from
their personal stock and collect 2 green Carbohydrates from the general supply. If
a player places on the spot marked with a 1, they must pay exactly 1 ATP from their
personal stock and collect 1 green Carbohydrate from the general supply.

MITOCHONDRIA (ATP Production)

If a player places on the spot marked with a 3 or a 2, they receive 3 or 2 ATP respectively.
If a player places on the spot marked with a 6, they must pay exactly 1 green
Carbohydrate from their personal stock and collect 6 ATP from the general supply.

EXTRA RESOURCES ADDED BY EVENT CARDS

If an Event Card adds a resource of any type to a location on the Board, that resource
is awarded to the first player to place on any spot within that location on the board at
no additional cost. (See Event Cards for more details.)

6
 2. PURCHASING CeLL COMPONeNT CARDS (TO ADD TO YOUR HAND)
If a player places on any of the spots within the Cell
Component Card area, they must pay the ATP cost
(indicated to the right of their flask) and collect the
card in the slot just below their flask, placing that card
into their hand.

3. Completing Cell Component Cards

(these cards are completed over multiple turns)
A player must have at least the number of macromolecules required by the Cell Component Card they are
completing on their Transport Vesicle Disk, but may have more.

SMOOTH ER (Alcohol Detoxification / Steroid Hormone Synthesis)

If a player places on the lower portion of the Smooth ER (Alcohol Detoxification or
Steroid Hormone Synthesis) they must do one of two things:
Option 1: Alcohol Detoxification
If a player places to complete an Alcohol Detoxification Card, they must pay the
amount of ATP shown on the card and then immediately gain 1 Health Point.
Option 2: Steroid Hormone Synthesis
A player takes the first step of completing a Steroid Hormone Card by placing in the
Steroid Hormone Synthesis area of the Smooth ER. They then:
Budding Transport
Vesicle Location 1. Place one of their Transport Vesicle Disks on an available Budding Transport
Vesicle Location (yellow rimmed circles) in the Smooth ER.
2. Place a number of yellow Lipids (NOT green Carbohydrates, these are added
in the Golgi Apparatus) from their personal stock onto their Transport Vesicle
Disk according to the quantity shown on the Steroid Hormone Card they are
trying to complete.

ROUGH ER (Protein Hormone Synthesis / Receptor Synthesis)

A player takes the first step of completing a Protein Hormone, Protein Hormone
Receptor or a Steroid Hormone Receptor Card by placing in the Rough ER. They then:
1. Place one of their Transport Vesicle Disks on an available Budding Transport
Vesicle Location (yellow rimmed circles) in the Rough ER.
2. Return a number of black mRNA from their personal stock (according to the
Cell Component Card they are trying to complete) for the same number of red
Proteins from the general supply and place the red Proteins on their Transport
Budding Transport Vesicle Disk.
Vesicle Location

In the Rough ER, you must start with black mRNA. You may not place red Proteins from your personal stock.

7
 GOLGI APPARATUS
A player takes the second step of completing a Hormone or Receptor Card by
placing in the Golgi Apparatus. They then:
1. Move 1 of their Transport Vesicle Disks (and all macromolecules on it) from
either the Smooth ER or the Rough ER, onto an available Budding Transport
Vesicle Location in the Golgi Apparatus.
2. Place 1 green Carbohydrate or 1 yellow Lipid from their personal stock onto
that Transport Vesicle Disk, according to the Cell Component Card they are
trying to complete.

This spot allows a player to place 1 green Carbohydrate or 1 yellow Lipid. It does
NOT allow a player to trade a green Carbohydrate for a yellow Lipid or vice versa.

If the active player places on a spot in the Smooth ER, Rough ER or Golgi Apparatus, and all
Budding Transport Vesicle Locations for that area are filled, 1 Transport Vesicle Disk belonging to
the player highest on the Health Track is removed from the board and returned to the player who owns
it along with all macromolecules on it (in case of a tie: the player earliest in turn order). The active
player must now place (or move) their Transport Vesicle Disk and appropriate macromolecules onto
the newly opened Budding Transport Vesicle Location.

PLASMA MEMBRANE (Exocytosis)

A player takes the third and final step of completing a Hormone or Receptor
Card by placing in the Plasma Membrane (Exocytosis). They then:
1. Move one of their Transport Vesicle Disks from the Golgi Apparatus,
through the Plasma Membrane, and out of the cell.
2. Place the Cell Component Card they are completing face up in front of them.
3. Pay the ATP cost indicated on that Cell Component Card, place all the
macromolecules from the Transport Vesicle Disk back into the general
supply and take back their Transport Vesicle Disk.
4. Gain a number of Health Points as shown on the Cell Component Card
just completed.

CYTOPLASM (Enzyme Synthesis)

A player takes the final step in completing an Enzyme Card (once a player has
all resources indicated) by placing on the spot within the Cytoplasm labeled
Enzyme Synthesis. They then:
1. Place the Enzyme Card they are completing face up in front of them.
2. Pay the ATP cost and pay a number of macromolecules from their personal
stock, as indicated on that Enzyme Card.
3. Gain a number of Health Points as shown on the Enzyme Card just completed.

8
 4. Taking the First Player Marker
(and placing a Goal Marker or Taking 1 ATP)
LAUREATES IN BIOLOGY
If a player places on the Laureates in Biology spot, they must:
1. Take the First Player Marker (and keep it for all subsequent rounds until it is
claimed by another player).
2. Choose to do one of the following:
• Place 1 Goal Marker on an available Goal Card. (See Goal Cards for details), or
• Collect 1 ATP from the general supply.
The first Goal Marker placed on each Goal Card immediately awards that player 3 Health Points.
(See Goal Cards for details.)

CELL COMPONENT CARDS TYPE OF CARD

There are five types of Cell Component Cards: Hormone
Cards, Hormone Receptor Cards, Enzyme Cards, Alcohol
Detoxification Cards, and Macromolecule Cards.
PLACEMENT
Each Cell Component Card (with the exception of the Macromolecule SPOT
Cards) indicates the placement spot required for that card, the
ATP COST
Macromolecule and/or ATP cost needed to complete that card, and
the number of Health Points it will immediately score when completed.

The Hormone Receptor Cards may score a player additional points

throughout the game (see Hormone Receptor Cards for details) MACROMOLECULE
COST
while Enzyme Cards or Alcohol Detoxification Cards may score a
player additional End Game points. (See Enzyme Cards and Alcohol
Detoxification Cards for details.) A quick reference for these
additional points is shown at the bottom of each card. HEALTH POINTS AWARDED

Cards in a player’s hand are kept hidden from other players until completed,
while completed cards should be kept face up in front of the player who
completed them. Completed cards will be useful in tracking End Game points.

Hormone Cards
There are two different types of Hormone Cards: Protein Hormones (red
background) and Steroid Hormones (blue background).

Hormone Cards are completed over multiple turns:

• First, a player places in the Smooth ER for Steroid Hormones or the Rough
ER for Protein Hormones. (see Smooth ER or Rough ER for more details).
• Second, for both Steroid Hormones and Protein Hormones, a player places
in the Golgi Apparatus. (see Golgi Apparatus for more details).
• Finally, a player places in the Exocytosis area of the Plasma Membrane.
(see Plasma Membrane (Exocytosis) for more details).
9
A DETAILED EXAMPLE OF HOW TO COMPLETE
A PROTEIN HORMONE CARD

This example assumes the player has already collected black mRNA previous
to their first placement, a green Carbohydrate previous to their second
placement, and enough ATP previous to their third and last placement.

For the first flask placement, place in the Rough ER, and do
all of the following:
1. Place your Transport Vesicle Disk on an open Budding FIRST
Transport Vesicle Location. PLACEMENT
2. Trade 2 black mRNA from your personal stock for 2 red
Proteins from the general supply, and immediately place
the red Proteins onto your Transport Vesicle Disk

For the second flask placement, place in the Golgi Apparatus,

and do all of the following:
1. Move your Transport Vesicle Disk (and all macromolecules
on it) from the Rough ER into an available Budding Transport
Vesicle Location in the Golgi Apparatus.
2. Place 1 green Carbohydrate from your personal stock onto
that Transport Vesicle Disk.
SECOND
For the third flask placement, place in the Exocytosis PLACEMENT
area of the Plasma Membrane, and do all of the following:
1. Move your Transport Vesicle Disk (and all macromolecules
on it) from the Golgi Apparatus through the Plasma Membrane
and out of the cell.
2. Place the Protein Hormone Card you are completing face up
THIRD
in front of you. PLACEMENT
3. Pay the 2 ATP and place the macromolecules from that
Transport Vesicle Disk back into the general supply. Take
back your Transport Vesicle Disk.
4. Gain 7 Health Points!

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU’VE JUST COMPLETED A

PROTEIN HORMONE CARD!

+7 HEALTH POINTS

10
 Hormone Receptor Cards
There are two types of Hormone Receptor Cards: Steroid Hormone Receptor
Cards and Protein Hormone Receptor Cards. Both types of Hormone Receptor
Cards are completed in the same way as the Hormone Cards, with two differences.
First, BOTH Hormone Receptor Cards begin in the Rough ER. Second, Steroid
Hormone Receptor Cards are the only cards that will receive a yellow Lipid
(rather than a green Carbohydrate) in the Golgi Apparatus.

Completed Hormone Receptor Cards score a player Health Points any time
new Hormone Cards are completed.

Any time an opposing player completes a Protein Hormone Card, all players with a
completed Protein Hormone Receptor Card will gain 2 Health Points for each Protein Hormone
Receptor Card they’ve completed.

Any time an opposing player completes a Steroid Hormone Card, all players with a completed
Steroid Hormone Receptor Card will gain 2 Health Points for each Steroid Hormone Receptor
Card they’ve completed.

Player 1
For example, if Player 2 has completed 2 Player 2
completes
Steroid Hormone Receptor Cards, they will receives
a Steroid
receive 4 Health Points each time an opposing 4 health
Hormone
points
player completes a Steroid Hormone Card.

Also, any time a player personally completes a Protein Hormone Card, they will score 1 additional Health
Point for each Protein Hormone Receptor Card they have already completed. Likewise, any time a player
personally completes a Steroid Hormone Card, they will score 1 additional Health Point for each Steroid
Hormone Receptor Card they have already completed.

ENZYMe CARDS
Enzyme Cards do NOT require the use of a Transport Vesicle Disk. To complete an Enzyme Card:

First, a player must place a flask on the Free Ribosome spot and trade black
mRNA from their personal stock for the same number of red Proteins from the
general supply. (Note: these red Proteins are now part of their personal stock
and can never be placed on a Transport Vesicle Disk.)

Then, a player must place on the Cytoplasm spot and do all of the following:
1. Place the Enzyme Card they are completing face up in front of them.
2. Pay the required ATP and macromolecules from their personal stock to
the general supply.
3. Immediately gain the Health Points shown on the completed Enzyme Card.

Completed Enzyme Cards should be overlapped and flared so all other players can see them. Sets of Enzyme
Cards will score additional points at the end of the game, as shown on the bottom of each Enzyme Card (see
Scoring for details).
11
Alcohol Detoxification Cards
Alcohol Detoxification Cards are completed by placing a flask in the Alcohol
Detoxification spot (within the Smooth ER) and paying the ATP cost indicated
on that card. After completing an Alcohol Detoxification Card, a player will gain
1 Health Point.
At the end of the game, the player(s) with the most Alcohol Detox will gain additional
points (see End Game Points from Alcohol Detoxification Cards for more details).

Macromolecule Cards
Macromolecule Cards may be kept in a player’s hand and played
at any time during a player’s turn. Once the card is played, that
player should immediately take the number of macromolecules
shown on the card and place that card in the Cell Component
discard pile (Macromolecule Cards are NOT considered
completed cards for end game scoring).

GOAL CARDS
When a player places on the Laureates in Biology spot, they may
choose to place a single Goal Marker on any available Goal Card.
Once a Goal Marker has been placed, it may never be moved, and
a player may never place both of their Goal Markers on the same
Goal Card. A maximum of two Goal Markers may be placed on
each Goal Card.

Goal Cards may score a player points in two ways:

First player to
1. During the Game: The first Goal Marker placed on each Goal Card immediately place immediately
awards that player 3 Health Points. (The second Goal Marker placed on a Goal scores 3 points
Card awards no immediate Health Points.)
2. During End Game Scoring: If a player placed a Goal Marker on a Goal Card, they
will score End Game points according to the description on that Goal Card.

Event Cards
During Phase 2 of each round, a single Event Card will be flipped face up
and will affect the game in some way.

There are two types of Event Cards: Boost and Reduce ATP Cost.
Boost
A Boost Event Card adds 1 resource to a specific area of the board. That
resource is awarded for free to the first player to place on any spot within that
location, in addition to the resources that spot usually awards. Any resources
added to a specific area of the board remain in that area until awarded.
REDUCE ATP COST
A Reduce ATP Cost Event Card reduces the cost of each Cell Component Card
purchased that round by 1 ATP. If a player places on the Free spot when this
Event Card is active, they may also take 1 ATP from the general supply.

12
 GREY FLASKS
Before a player places their flask during their turn, they may pay 4 ATP to take
a Grey Flask from the Grey Flask Area and place it on any spot on the board
(available or unavailable) and then take the action associated with that spot. A
player will then take their normal flask placement.

Restrictions: A player may pay to place only 1 Grey Flask per turn and
must be able to take the action associated with that spot. Only Grey Flasks
in the Grey Flask area are available for this action.

ENDING THE GAME

The final round is signaled when the last Event Card is flipped face-up. Players should play one last time
through Phase 1 and then skip directly to Scoring.

SCORING
At the end of the game, players will score additional End Game points for macromolecules still in their
personal stock, completed Alcohol Detoxification Cards, completed Enzyme Cards, as well as any
Goal Cards on which they’ve placed any of their Goal Markers during the game. Players should move
their Health Marker along the Health Track for all End Game Points earned.

END GAME POINTS FROM MACROMOLECULES

Before scoring macromolecules, a player may collect all macromolecules remaining on any
of their Transport Vesicle Disks still on the board and add these to their personal stock.

Macromolecules in a player’s personal stock score a player points for each set of:

4 Black mRnA 4 Yellow Lipids 3 Red Proteins 2 Green Carbohydrates

1 Point 1 Point 1 point 1 point

End Game Points from Alcohol Detoxification Cards

For scoring Alcohol Detox in a 2 player game, see Scoring Differences on page 14.
Health
Alcohol Detox Points Scored
The most Alcohol Detox is determined by adding together the number
of ATP on all of the Alcohol Detoxification Cards completed by that MOST 8
player. A player must complete at least 1 Alcohol Detoxification Card Second Most 5
to gain end game points in this way. End Game Points are awarded Third Most 2
according to the chart to the right.

For example, a player who built 3 separate Alcohol Detoxification Cards

requiring 2 ATP would have an equal amount of Alcohol Detox as the
player who built 2 Alcohol Detoxification Cards both requiring 3 ATP.

13
In case of a tie, the tying player with the most completed Alcohol
Detoxification Cards wins. If there is still a tie, tying players should
add the points for their tied position and the position directly below
it, then divide those points equally between them (rounding down to
the nearest whole number.) In case of a three way tie, add the position Two players tied for 2nd
current position (5) + position below (2) = 7
of those tying players and all positions below it, and divide those
Divide by 2 players = 3 points
points equally among the tying players, again rounding down.

End Game Points from Enzyme Sets

Sets consist of Enzyme Cards of different colors. Any sets of Enzyme Cards a player has completed during
the game earn End Game points according to the table below:

Number of Unique Health

Enzymes Completed Points Scored
3 Completed
2 2
Enzyme Cards
3 5
4 9
+5 POINTS DURING
5 14
END GAME SCORING

Two Enzyme Cards of the same color may not belong to the same set; however a player may score points for two sets.

END GAME POINTS FROM GOAL CARDS

If a player has placed a Goal Marker on a Goal Card, they will score End Game points according to the
description on that Goal Card. Each player should reference the Goal Card(s) on which they have placed their
Goal Marker(s) for details on points scored.

FINAL SCORING
Whoever has the most total Health Points wins the game!

If there is a tie, the player with the most completed Cell Component Cards wins (not including Macromolecule
Cards). If there is still a tie, the tying player with the most ATP remaining in their personal stock wins the tie.
If there is still a tie, the player with the First Player Marker (or closest in turn order to them) wins the tie.

2 PLAYer Rule Modifications

Game board
The 2 Player side of the game board has a reduced number of flask placement spots.

GAMePLAY DIFFeReNCeS
REMOVE THE 2 LEFT-MOST CELL COMPONENT CARDS
When refreshing the board in Phase 2, instead of discarding the 1 left-most Cell
Component Card from the Cell Component Card Area, discard the 2 left-most cards.

SCORING DIFFERENCES
END GAME POINTS FROM ALCOHOL DETOXIFICATION CARDS
The player with the most Alcohol Detox will gain 5 Health Points, and the player with the second most Alcohol
Detox will gain 2 Health Points (ignore the 8 point position). In case of a tie, each player receives 3 points.
14
CYTOSIS - GAMe IN A NUTSHeLL
PHASe 1
Starting with the player holding the First Player Marker, each player must place exactly 1 of their flasks on
any available spot on the board and then immediately collect the resources or take the action associated
with that spot. Once all flasks have been placed, move to Phase 2.

Take First Player Marker Collect yellow Lipids Collect black mRNA
(and get 1 ATP - OR - Convert black mRNA
place a Goal Marker) into red Proteins and
put them on your
Disk (first step for
Put yellow Lipids on Protein Hormones/
your Disk (first step all Receptors)
for Steroid Hormones)
- OR - complete Alcohol
Collect ATP
Detoxification Cards
-OR- Convert 1
Carb to 6 ATP
Convert black mRNA
into red Proteins Move your Disk
(only for Enzymes) down and place on it
1 yellow Lipid or 1
green Carb on it - do
Pay all resources to NOT convert. (second
complete Enzyme Cards step for all Hormones
/all Receptors)
Move your Disk down
and pay resources to Convert ATP to
complete a Hormone green Carbs
or Receptor Card
(third step)
Collecting Resources
Purchasing Cards
Pay ATP, then add a card to your Hand Completing Cards
Taking First Player

PHASe 2 END OF GAMe

All players retrieve their flasks. Repeat phases until last Event Card
is revealed. For final round, play only
Remove left-most card from Cell Component Card area. Slide Phase 1 and then jump to “Scoring”
remaining cards to left-most open slots. Refill all opened slots (page 13).
with cards from deck. Reveal top card from the Event Deck and
follow its instructions. Player with the most Health Points
wins the game!
A new round begins, return to Phase 1.