Cells and Cell Structure
Cell
It is the fundamental unit of any living organism
Cytology
Study of Cell and its function
Cell Membrane
Also called as the plasma membrane which is the outermost component of a cell. It forms a boundary and encloses the cell, separating the contents of the cell to the outside world; selective permeable.
Nucleus
The command center of the cell
Nucleoplasm
Also called as protoplasm, it is a gelatinous base material of the nucleus.
Chromosomes
It is consist of linear DNA molecules and protein embedded in the nucleoplasm.
DNA
The genetic material that makes up the genes of chromosomes.
RNA
It participates in the conversion of the genetic code into proteins and other gene products.
Nuclear Membrane/Envelope
It serves as the skin of the nucleus; contains nuclear pores that allows passage and exit of different materials.
Cytoplasm
It is the interior of a cell which is a jelly-like, semifluid, gelatinous, nutrient matrix (cytosol) that surrounds the organelles.
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Highly convoluted system of membranes that are interconnected and arranged to form a transport network of tubules and flattened sacs within the cytoplasm.
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
It is the site for protein synthesis. It also transport materials through the cells.
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
It transport material through the cells. It produces and digests lipids and membrane proteins. It also stores calcium ions. Lastly, it breaks down or detoxifies alcohol and drugs.
Ribosome
Site of protein synthesis. It can be attached to any other organelles.
Free Ribosome
Ribosomes that are not attached
Golgi Apparatus
This is where lipids and proteins mature. It is a stack of flattened, membranous sacs that completes the transformation of newly synthesized proteins into mature and functional ones.
Lysosomes
A membrane-bound vesicles formed from the golgi apparatus. It breaks down foreign material through phagocytosis. Garbage disposal unit of the cell
Peroxisomes
Small-membrane bound vesicle in which hydrogen peroxide is both generated and broken down. H2O2 is a byproduct of fatty/amino acid breakdown that can be toxic to the cell.
Mitochondria
Responsible for producing considerable amounts of ATP by aerobic. Powerhouse of the cell.
Plastid (Plant cell)
Membrane bound structure containing various photosynthetic pigments. This is the site for photosynthesis.
Cytoskeleton
System of fibers that serves to strengthen, support and stiffen the cell, and give the cell its shape. It gives internal framework to the cell.
Microtubules
Help support the cytoplasm, assist in cell division, and form essential components of cilia and flagella.
Microfilaments
Structurally support the cytoplasm, determining the cell shape.
Intermediate Filaments
Enables the cell to shorten or contract
Cell Wall (Plant Cell)
External structure that provides rigidity, shape, and protection to the cell.
Flagella
Have a structure similar to that cilia but are much longer and they are usually occur only one per cell. Long, thin, whip-like structure that enables the cell to “swim” in liquid environment.
Cilia
Shorter organelles compared to flagellaMicrovilli used for locomotion. They project from the structure of certain cells.
Microvilli
These are specialized extensions of the cell membrane that are supported by microfilaments; do not actively move as cilia and flagella.
Mitosis
The method of reproduction of eukaryotic cells wherein part of the cell is replicated then separated into two new nuclei.
Mesosomes
The inward folding of the cell membrane where cellular respiration takes place in bacteria.
Plasmid
Extrachromosomal DNA; circular molecules of double-stranded DNA
Glycocalyx
Slimy, gelatinous material produced by the cell membrane and secreted outside the cell wall. This determines the bacterial virulence produced intracellularly and secreted extracellularly.
Peritrichous
Flagella over the entire surface
Lophotrichous
Flagella at one end
Amphitrichous
One or more flagella at the end
Monotrichous
Single polar flagellum
Pili (Fimbriae)
hair-like structures, much thinner than flagella, have a rigid structure and are not associated with motility. They are organelles of attachment.
Normal Pili (Adherence)
Enables the bacteria to adhere/attach to any surface, have the ability to invade and attach themselves to any type of cells.
Sex Pili
Enables the bacteria to transfer genetic material from one bacteria to another, for replication and duplication within a host cell.
Spores (Endospores)
Formed as a means of survival when their moisture or nutrients is low.
Coccus
Spherical
Bacillus
Cylindrical rod
Vibrio
Short curved rod
Spirillum
Helical shaped corkscrew
Spirochete
Long helical cell and flexible
Diplococci
In pairs
Streptococci
Chains
Staphylococci
Clusters
Tetrads
Packets of four
Octads
Packets of eight
Binary Fission
The simple division of one cell intro two cells after DNA replication and the formation of separating membrane and cell wall.
Generation Time
Time it takes for one bacterial cell to divide into two.
Taxonomy
The Science of classifying living organisms
Genotype
Complete collection of genes; genetic characteristics
Phenotype
Physical characteristics
Carl Linnaeus
He developed the binomial system of nomenclature in the 18th century. It is composed of Genus + specific epithet.
Robert H. Wittaker
He proposed a Five Kingdom System of Classification in 1969. This includes the following:
Prokaryotae
Protista
Fungi
Animalia
Plantae
Carl Woese
He devised a Three Domain System of Classification (Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya)