The Building of Life: Cell Structure and Function

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the discovery of cells, types of organisms, cell classification, and the functions of various cell organelles.

Cells

The structural and functional units of all living organisms.

Protoplasm

A term coined by Purkinje to describe the living substance of the cell.

Robert Hooke

The scientist who first discovered and introduced the term "cell."

Robert Brown

The scientist credited with discovering the nucleus in the cell.

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

The first person to observe living cells in protists.

Unicellular Organisms

Organisms consisting of a single cell that carries out all life processes, such as bacteria and Amoeba.

Multicellular Organisms

Organisms made of many cells that work together, organized into tissues, organs, and organ systems.

Thermophiles

Specialized bacteria adapted to survive in extremely high temperatures, such as those found in hot springs.

Prokaryotic Cells

Cells that lack a well-defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, containing genetic material in a single circular chromosome.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that possess a well-defined nucleus with a nuclear membrane and contain membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria and Golgi apparatus.

Plasma Membrane

The outer covering of a cell that separates internal contents from the environment and exhibits selective permeability.

Cell Wall

A rigid structure external to the plasma membrane, composed of cellulose in plants and chitin in fungi.

Nucleus

A spherical organelle bounded by a double-layered nuclear envelope that contains $DNA$ and controls the metabolic activities of the cell.

Cytoplasm

The fluid substance of the cell located between the plasma membrane and the nucleus, containing chemicals and metabolic pathways.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

A network of membranes categorized into Rough ER, which has ribosomes for protein synthesis, and Smooth ER, which lacks ribosomes and synthesizes lipids.

Golgi Apparatus

A system of stacked, flattened membranes used for the storage, modification, and packaging of substances.

Mitochondria

Referred to as the "powerhouse of the cell," it is the site of cellular respiration and provides energy.

Chloroplasts

Organelles containing chlorophyll that carry out photosynthesis in plant cells.

Vacuoles

Storage sacs that provide turgidity in plant cells and play roles in nutrition and osmoregulation in unicellular organisms.

Chromosomes

Thread-like or rod-shaped structures formed by the condensation of chromatin during cell division that carry genetic information ($DNA$).

Human Chromosome Count

The specific number of chromosomes in humans, which is $23$ pairs.