Cells: Prokaryote vs Eukaryote Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the characteristics, differences, and structures of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells as presented in the lecture notes.

Prokaryotic cell size

$$0.1-10\,\mu \text{m}$$

Eukaryotic cell size

$$10-100\,\mu \text{m}$$

Prokaryotic Appearance

The oldest type of cell, appearing about four billion years ago.

Eukaryotic Appearance

Appeared approximately one billion years ago.

Nucleoid region

An area in prokaryotic cells where circular genetic material is dispersed throughout the cytoplasm without a nuclear membrane.

Cocci

Spherical or round shaped prokaryotes.

Bacillus

Rod shaped prokaryotes.

Spirilla

Helical or spiral shaped prokaryotes.

Capsule

A slimy outer coating found in prokaryotic cell structures like E. coli.

Cell wall (Prokaryote)

A tougher middle layer in simply built cells, located between the capsule and cell membrane.

Pili

Hair-like structures on prokaryotes used for sticking to things.

Flagella

Tail-like structures on prokaryotes used for swimming.

Colony

A prokaryote lifestyle where individual cells form a film.

Filamentous

A prokaryote lifestyle forming a chain of cells or strings of single cells.

Photosynthetic

A prokaryote feeding method that obtains energy from sunlight.

Decomposers

Prokaryotes that feed on dead things.

Disease-causing

Prokaryotes that feed on living things.

Organelles

Membrane-bound cell parts, often called mini "organs," that have unique structures and functions.

Nucleus

A membrane-bound sac evolved to store the cell's chromosomes (DNA) that contains pores.

Nucleolus

Located inside the nucleus, it is made of RNA and serves as the ribosome factory.

Mitochondrion

The organelle that makes the cell's energy; cells that need more energy have more of them.

Ribosomes

Structures made of RNA that build proteins from amino acids in the cytoplasm.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

A structure that builds lipids and carbohydrates.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

A structure that stores proteins made by attached ribosomes.

Golgi Complex

Takes in sacs of raw material from the ER and sends out sacs containing finished cell products.

Lysosomes

Sacs filled with digestive enzymes that digest worn out cell parts and food absorbed by the cell.

Centrioles

A pair of bundled tubes that organize cell division; found in animal cells but not plant cells.

Cytoskeleton

Made of microtubules found throughout the cytoplasm, it gives shape to the cell and moves it.

Cell Wall (Plant)

A very strong structure made of cellulose that protects the cell from rupturing and is glued to neighboring cells.

Vacuole

A huge water-filled sac in plant cells that keeps the cell pressurized and stores starch.

Chloroplasts

Organelles filled with chlorophyll that turn solar energy into food energy.