Cells, Tissues, Organs, and Systems Vocabulary

Flashcards for vocabulary review for cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems. Also includes specialized cells, microscopes, and unicellular/multicellular organisms.

Cell

The basic unit of all living things.

Movement

A change in position or place.

Respiration

The release of energy.

Sensitivity

Responding to changes in the environment.

Growth

Increase in size or dry mass.

Reproduction

Creating offspring.

Excretion

Removal of waste products.

Nutrition

Taking in substances for energy.

Cell Theory

A fundamental concept in biology that states: All organisms are composed of one or more cells; the cell is the basic unit of structure and organization in organisms; all cells come from pre-existing cells.

Microscope

An instrument used to magnify small objects, especially cells.

Eyepiece lens

The lens at the top of the microscope that you look through to observe the specimen.

Coarse adjustment knob

Used to move the stage up and down for initial focusing.

Fine adjustment knob

Used to sharpen or unblur the image.

Base

Supports the entire microscope.

Objective lens

Magnifies the image (4x, 10x, 100x).

Stage

The platform where the glass slide is placed.

Diaphragm

Controls the brightness of the light.

Light Source

Shines light onto the specimen.

Cell Wall

Provides structure and support to the plant cell

Observation

Looking carefully and in detail at an object; using a microscope to view cells in detail.

Wet Mount

A slide preparation technique to view cells

Nucleus

The control center of the cell, contains genetic material (DNA).

Cytoplasm

The jelly-like substance within the cell where organelles are located.

Cell Membrane

The outer boundary of the cell that controls what enters and exits.

Mitochondrion

The powerhouse of the cell; site of cellular respiration.

Cell Wall

A rigid outer layer that provides support and protection (plant cells only).

Chloroplast

Site of photosynthesis in plant cells.

Vacuole

Stores water, nutrients, and waste products.

Specialized Cells

Cells with specific features adapted to perform a particular function.

Red Blood Cells

Cells that carry oxygen around the body.

Neurons

Cells that transmit electrical impulses.

Ciliated Cells

Cells that use cilia to move substances along a surface.

Root Hair Cells

Cells that absorb water and nutrients from the soil.

Palisade Cells

Cells that contain chloroplasts for photosynthesis.

Tissue

A group of similar cells working together to perform a specific function.

Organ

A group of different tissues working together to perform a specific function.

Organ System

A group of different organs working together to perform a specific function.

Organism

A living being made up of organ systems.

Unicellular

An organism composed of only one cell.

Multicellular

An organism composed of more than one cell.