Foundation of Zoology: Cytology and Cell Structures

Flashcards covering the vocabulary of cytology, including cell components, organelles, nuclear parts, and various cell shapes based on the lecture material.

Cytology

The science which deals with the structures and function of the cell.

Cell

The basic structure and function of organisms, which is made up of three components: cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus.

Cell Membrane

Also known as the plasma membrane, it is selectively permeable and composed of one bilipid layer between two mono-layers of protein and carbohydrates intercalating between the lipids and the proteins.

Microvilli

Projections that increase the absorptive function of the cell membrane.

Pinocytic Vesicles

Infoldings or invaginations of the cell membrane that increase the absorptive capacity of the cell surface and help the cell take in food substance.

Cytoplasm

The living substance of the cell made up of organic and inorganic compounds as well as nucleic acids, containing minute organelles.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Considered as the circulatory system of the cell concerned with intracellular transport.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

Agranular endoplasmic reticulum (ER) without ribosomes.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Also called granular endoplasmic (gER), its membrane is lined with ribosomes and is necessary in Protein synthesis.

Ribosomes

Spherical granules found either attached to ER or distributed in the cytoplasm performing protein synthesis.

Golgi Complex or Dictyosomes

Cellular structures involved in the transport of substance to and from the cell.

Mitochondria or Chondriosomes

Double walled or rod-shaped structures with inside folds known as cristae; they are considered the powerhouse of the cell.

Cristae

Inside folds of the mitochondria which increase the surface for energy production.

Lysosomes

Referred to as the "suicide bags" because they contain enzymes that can digest cell components such as foreign bodies like bacteria.

Centrosomes and Centrioles

Structures present only in animal cells and primitive plants which are important in cell division.

Vacuoles

Empty spaces including food vacuoles for storing food and contractile vacuoles for expelling wastes.

Nucleus

A rounded structure at the center of the cell which controls the metabolic activities of the cell.

Nuclear Membrane

A double-layered membrane arising from the plasma membrane that encloses the nucleoplasm and regulates the movement of materials between the cytoplasm and the nucleus.

Nucleoplasm

The protoplasm of the nucleus in which the chromosomes and other materials are suspended.

Chromatin Materials

Darkly staining structures containing the genes in the nucleus of the cell.

Nucleolus

A spherical body at the periphery of the nucleus needed for ribosomal synthesis.

Squamous Cells

Tile-like cells usually for protection, found at the outer layer of the skin and used as lining of other organs.

Cuboidal Cells

Cells with equal sides usually observed in kidney tubules.

Columnar Cells

Tube-like cells found lining the digestive tract for absorption.

Stellate Cells

Star-like cells used for nerve impulse conduction.

Amorphous Cells

Irregularly shaped cells such as WBC (white blood cells) due to amoebic and phagocytic action.

Oval Cells

Nearly rounded cells found in the RBC (red blood cells) of the frog.

Fusiform

Cells of the smooth muscles of visceral organs.

Polygonal

Many-sided liver cells.

Spider Like

Name given to the cells found in the bones.

Threadlike

Cell shape represented by the sperm cells.