Lecture on Botany: Cell - The Unit of Life

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the botany lecture on cells.

Cell

The fundamental structural and functional unit of all living organisms.

Cell Theory

States that all living organisms are composed of cells, and all cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Unicellular Organisms

Organisms composed of a single cell that can perform essential life functions independently.

Multicellular Organisms

Organisms composed of multiple cells that work together to perform life functions.

Prokaryotic Cells

Cells that lack a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that contain a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Mitochondria

Referred to as the powerhouses of the cell, they are sites of aerobic respiration and ATP production.

Chloroplasts

Organelles found in plant cells that trap light energy for photosynthesis.

Nucleus

The double membrane-bound organelle that controls cellular metabolism and contains genetic information.

Ribosomes

Non-membrane bound structures that synthesize proteins and are composed of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and proteins.

Cytoplasm

The semi-fluid matrix that occupies the volume of the cell and is the site for many cellular activities.

Cell Wall

A rigid non-living outer covering of certain cells that provides structure and protection.

Cell Membrane

The semi-permeable barrier that surrounds the cell and regulates what enters and exits.

Lysosomes

Membrane-bound organelles that contain hydrolytic enzymes for digesting cellular waste.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

An extensive network of membranes involved in protein and lipid synthesis.

Golgi Apparatus

A stacked structure responsible for modifying, packaging, and transporting proteins and lipids.

Plasmodesmata

Cytoplasmic connections between adjacent plant cells that facilitate communication and transport.

Centrioles

Cylindrical structures involved in cell division and the formation of cilia and flagella.

Microtubules

Protein filaments that form part of the cytoskeleton and are involved in cell division.