General Biology 1: Cell Theory

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the discovery, proponents, functions, and principles of cell theory as presented in the lecture notes.

Cell

The structural and functional unit of life.

Homeostasis

An organism’s ability to keep a constant internal state, which is important for cells to function normally.

Chemical Energy

Energy stored in the bonds present in food molecules that is converted by cells into more usable forms.

Responsiveness

The ability of a cell to determine changes that have taken place before deciding the necessary responses to maintain normal internal conditions.

Zacharias Janssen

Inventor of the first primitive microscope (1585–1632).

Robert Hooke

The scientist who observed cork cells under a microscope (1635–1703).

Francesco Redi

The scientist who disproved the spontaneous generation theory (1626–1697).

Anton van Leeuwenhoek

The scientist who observed microorganisms using his own practical microscope (1632–1723).

Matthias Schleiden

A proponent of the cell theory who proposed that all plants are composed of cells (1804–1881).

Theodor Schwann

A proponent of the cell theory who proposed that all animals are composed of cells (1810–1882).

Rudolf Virchow

A proponent of the cell theory who proposed that all cells come from pre-existing cells (1821–1902).

Principle 1 of Cell Theory

Every living organism consists of one or more cells.

Principle 2 of Cell Theory

The cell is the fundamental unit of life; it is the smallest structural and functional unit in all organisms.

Principle 3 of Cell Theory

Cells come from pre-existing cells and contain hereditary material which they pass to their daughter cells when they divide.

Surface area to volume ratio

Cells have a high ratio to ensure they get adequate nutrients and prevent a high concentration of wastes from accumulating.

Spontaneous generation theory

The long-held belief that life could arise from nonliving entities, which was disproved by the principles of cell theory.