Chapter 1: Cells (Plant and Animal Cells)

Vocabulary flashcards covering basic cell concepts, plant and animal cell organelles, specialized cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and microscopy.

cell

The basic unit of life; all living organisms are made of cells; too small to see with naked eye; observed with a microscope.

plant cell

A type of cell found in plants; contains a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large central vacuole.

cell wall

Rigid, outer layer of plant cells that provides shape and support; made of cellulose.

cellulose

A polysaccharide that makes up the plant cell wall.

cell membrane

A thin, flexible boundary around all cells; controls what enters and leaves the cell.

cytoplasm

The jelly-like fluid inside the cell where chemical reactions occur.

nucleus

The control center of the cell; contains genetic material (DNA) and directs cell activities.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; genetic material that determines inherited traits.

cell sap

The watery solution inside a plant cell’s vacuole containing sugars and other dissolved substances.

vacuole

A storage organelle; stores water, wastes and other materials; larger in plant cells.

chloroplast

Organelle that contains chlorophyll; site of photosynthesis in plant cells.

chlorophyll

The green pigment that captures light energy for photosynthesis.

mitochondrion

The powerhouse of the cell; site of cellular respiration; releases energy from food.

mitochondria

Plural of mitochondrion; the energy-producing organelles in cells.

animal cell

A typical cell of animals; lacks a cell wall and chloroplasts; contains nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, and mitochondria.

red blood cell

Small, flexible blood cell that carries oxygen; lacks a nucleus to maximize haemoglobin content.

haemoglobin

Iron-containing protein in red blood cells that binds and transports oxygen.

neurone

Nerve cell that transmits electrical signals to communicate within the body.

axon

Long projection that carries electrical signals away from the neuron cell body.

dendrite

Short projections that receive signals from other neurons.

ciliated cell

Cell with tiny hair-like extensions (cilia) that move mucus and trap dust in airways.

root hair cell

Plant root cell with a long extension to increase surface area for water absorption.

palisade cell

Leaf cell rich in chloroplasts that carries out photosynthesis.

photosynthesis

Process by which plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.

tissue

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

organ

A structure made of different tissues that performs a particular function.

organ system

A group of organs working together to carry out major body functions.

microscope

An instrument used to magnify very small objects.

light microscope

A microscope that uses visible light and lenses to magnify specimens.

electron microscope

A microscope that uses beams of electrons to magnify objects much more than light microscopes.

fluorescence microscope

A microscope that uses fluorescence to label and visualize cellular components.

stereo microscope

A low-magnification microscope with two eyepieces that provides a 3D view.

confocal microscope

A microscope that uses laser scanning to produce sharp optical sections and 3D images.

atomic force microscope

A microscope that maps surfaces at the atomic scale using a mechanical probe.

inverted microscope

A microscope with the objective lenses below the stage, often used for live cell imaging.

retinal imaging microscope

A microscope or instrument used to image the retina.