eukaryotes and prokaryotes

Eukaryote

an organism whose cells contain a membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria

Prokaryote

a single-celled organism that lacks a membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles

Protist

a eukaryotic organism that is not an animal, plant, or fungus; typically microscopic and unicellular

Plant/vegetative propagation

a form of asexual reproduction in which new plants grow from a fragment of a parent plant, such as its roots, stems, or leaves

Budding

the process of asexual reproduction where a new organism grows from an outgrowth or bud on the parent organism

Regeneration/fragmentation

when an organism breaks into smaller pieces, with each piece growing into a new, complete individual

Binary fission

an asexual reproduction method in which a single parent cell divides into two genetically identical daughter cells

Asexual reproduction

a mode of reproduction where a single organism produces offspring that are genetically identical to itself

Sexual reproduction

the biological process of creating offspring by combining genetic material from two parents

Parthenogenesis

a form of asexual reproduction where an organism develops from an unfertilized egg

Plasmid

a small, circular piece of DNA that exists independently from the main chromosomal DNA within a cell, primarily found in bacteria

Ribosome

a complex molecular machine found in all living cells that synthesizes proteins by translating messenger RNA (mRNA) into chains of amino acids

Capsule

a protective outer layer on certain bacteria or the sporangium of some spore-producing plants and fungi

Germ cell

a cell that develops into a reproductive cell, which is an egg in females and a sperm in males

Somatic cells

all the cells in the body that are not involved in reproduction

Flagellum/Flagella

a whip-like appendage that provides motility to many microorganisms, such as bacteria, archaea, and some eukaryotes

Pili

a hair-like cell-surface appendage found on many bacteria and archaea

Nucleoid region

the irregularly shaped area within a prokaryotic cell that contains the genetic material, or DNA

Cell wall

a rigid protective layer that surrounds the plasma membrane of cells in plants, fungi, algae, and most bacteria, providing structural support and rigidity

Phototaxis

the directed movement of an organism in response to light, where the organism moves either toward or away from a light source

Chemotaxis

the directed movement of an organism or cell in response to a chemical stimulus, such as a chemical gradient in the environment

Mitosis

the process of cell division where a single parent cell divides into two genetically identical daughter cells

Cytosol/Cytoplasm

the jelly-like substance filling a cell that surrounds the nucleus and organelles

Plasma/Cell membrane

the jelly-like substance filling a cell that surrounds the nucleus and organelles

DNA

the molecule that contains the genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all known organisms

Cilium/Cilia

short, hair-like projections on the surface of a cell involved in both movement and sensory functions, and can be either motile (moving fluids or particles) or non-motile (acting as sensory antennae)

Contractile vacuole

a specialized organelle in many single-celled organisms that collects and expels excess water from the cell to prevent it from bursting

Eyespot

a light-sensitive organelle in single-celled organisms and invertebrates, or an eyelike marking on an animal

Pseudopod

a temporary growth on a cell that allows it to be mobile, sometimes called a "false foot"