Diversity of Life and Cell Structures

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering cell organelles, microscope usage, field of view, and characteristics of life.

Cell membrane

Boundary that controls what enters and leaves the cell.

Cell wall

A rigid layer that supports the cell and provides shape.

Central vacuole

A structure in plant cells that stores water and provides structure and support.

Chloroplast

An organelle in plant cells that converts the sun's energy into food.

Cytoplasm

The internal fluid that contains the cell structures.

Endoplasmic reticulum

A membranous structure that assembles proteins and parts of the cell membrane.

Mitochondrion

An organelle that converts the energy in food into usable energy for the cell.

Nucleus

An organelle that contains the cell's genetic material (DNA), which determines the nature of cell structures and substances.

Ribosome

A structure that makes proteins, either free or bound to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Contractile vacuole

A membrane structure in protist cells that stores water and expels excess water.

Food vacuole

A membrane structure in protist cells that stores food and merges with a lysosome to digest food.

Lysosome

An organelle that digests cellular waste and merges with a food vacuole to digest food.

Field of view

The diameter of the circle of light seen through the microscope, which decreases as magnification power increases.

Cell

The basic unit of life; all living things are made up of one or more of them.

Organism

A free-living thing that has all characteristics of life and can survive on its own.

Protist

A one-celled organism.

Living

Having the characteristics of life.

Nonliving

Never having been alive.

Dead

Once living, but not anymore.

Dormant

Alive, but inactive; some organisms become dormant to survive in unsuitable environments.

Compound microscope

A microscope that uses two lenses (eyepiece and objective lens) which both magnify the object.

Stage

The microscope part that holds the slide and moves up and down to focus.

Coarse focus knob

The microscope part that helps bring the object into focus and make it clear.