General Biology 1: Cell Theory and Structure

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the definition of cells, historical discovery by Robert Hooke, the three tenets of Cell Theory, and specific cell types and organelles.

Cell

The primary building blocks of life that come in various shapes and sizes.

Mycoplasma gallicepticum

The smallest known cell and a disease-causing bacteria in birds, which can be as small as $0.3\,\text{nanometers}$.

Ostrich egg

The largest cell, which can reach a size of up to $6\,\text{inches}$ in diameter.

Red blood cells

Cells that look like small red doughnuts or flattened candies and flow through veins and arteries.

Nerve cell

A cell found in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves that looks like a star with long arms, similar to a spider or fireworks.

Columnar epithelial cells

Cells found in the intestines and stomach lining that look like bricks in a wall.

Fat cell

Cells located under the skin and around organs that look like round balloons or soft marshmallows.

Skeletal muscle cell

Cells used for movement in the arms and legs that resemble striped rope or stacked ribbons.

Skin cells

Cells on the outer surface of the body that look like puzzle pieces or tiles.

Smooth muscle cell

Cells found in the stomach, intestines, and blood vessels that look like flat worms or flowing ribbons.

Robert Hooke

The scientist who first recorded the discovery of cells around $1665$ while observing a piece of cork under a microscope.

Cell walls

The box-like structures Robert Hooke observed in cork which led to the naming of cells.

Cell Theory

A fundamental biological principle developed by Theodor Schwann, Matthias Schleiden, and Rudolph Virchow.

First Tenet of Cell Theory

All organisms are made up of cells, ranging from a single cell (like an amoeba) to trillions (like the human body).

Second Tenet of Cell Theory

Life functions of an organism happen within the cell, making the cell the basic unit of life.

Third Tenet of Cell Theory

All cells come from other cells that are already existing; they cannot exist spontaneously or come from nonliving things.

Plant-specific organelles

Organelles found in plant cells but not animal cells, including the Cell wall, Chloroplast, and Vacuoles.

Animal-specific organelles

Organelles found in animal cells but not plant cells, such as Centrioles and Lysosomes.

Shared organelles

Structures found in both plant and animal cells, including the Mitochondrion, Nucleus, Endoplasmic reticulum, Ribosome, Golgi apparatus, Plasma membrane, and Cytoplasm.