Cell Theory and Early Biological Evolution

Vocabulary flashcards covering the basics of cell theory, the differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, the evolution of photosynthesis, and the endosymbiotic theory based on lecture notes.

Cell Theory

The concept that the first cell was very simple and that all organisms originate from these beginnings.

Prokaryote

Small, simple cells that have no nucleus, limited organelles, and simple ring chromosomes with few genes.

Eu Karyote

Large and complex cells containing a nucleus, large organelles, and complex chromosomes with many genes.

Heterotrophic

A type of organism that consumes something else to obtain its energy.

Autotroph

A type of organism that makes its own energy.

Early Photosynthetic Microbes

Prokariotic beings like modern purple and green sulfur bacteria that lived near the ocean surface to absorb UV light and used $H_2S$ instead of $H_2$ for energy.

Common Photosynthesis

A process appearing after perhaps $3.5\,\text{billion years}$ that uses water and releases oxygen as a byproduct, represented by the formula $6CO_2 + 6H_2O \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2$.

Aerobic metabolism

An efficient way of making energy using $O_2$ that played a key role in eukariotic evolution and caused a great diversity of cells.

Endosymbiotic Theory

The theory that eukaryotic evolution involved a process where one individual lived inside another, which was good for both individuals.

Archeobacteria

Organisms categorized as extremophylax that obtain their energy from the gases of hydrothermal vents.

Infolding

A process of membrane folding that occurred when cells got too big, helping to lower the size and resulting in compartmentalized cells with organelles.

Compartmentalization

The separation of chemical reactions within a cell, occurring as a result of the infolding process.

Phagosythosis

The process when a cell (pre-eukariote) gets something in it, which helped create the nucleus and other organelles.

Mitochondria and cloroplast

Specific organelles created during eukaryotic evolution that are unique because they have their own DNA.