ABC Book of Cells Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering cell structure, organelles, discovery, cell theory, and cellular functions based on the ABC Book of Cells lecture notes.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles (derived from "Eu" meaning true and "kary" meaning nucleus).

Prokaryotic Cells

Simpler cells that do NOT have a nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles (derived from "Pro" meaning before and "kary" meaning nucleus).

Cell Membrane

Also known as the plasma membrane, it is selectively permeable, allowing certain substances to pass through while keeping others out and keeping cytoplasm inside.

Cytoplasm

A jelly-like substance found throughout the inside of the cell.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

The nucleic acid that stores and communicates genetic information; located inside the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and inside prokaryotic cells.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

The portion of the endoplasmic reticulum with ribosomes attached that serves as the site for protein synthesis.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

The portion of the endoplasmic reticulum without attached ribosomes that serves as the site for lipid and complex carbohydrate synthesis.

Flagella

Long, whip-like tails (usually $1$ or $2$ per cell) that assist cells in moving and feeding.

Cilia

Short, hair-like projections found on the cell surface that assist cells in moving and feeding.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins made in the Rough ER into vesicles for transport throughout or outside the cell.

Robert Hooke

Scientist who made a simple microscope in $1665$, looked at dead oak tree bark cork cells, and named the small box-like structures "cells."

Cell

The basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms.

Lysosome

A vesicle containing digestive enzymes to break down worn-out cellular materials, bacteria, viruses, and waste products.

Mitochondria

The "powerhouse" of plant and animal cells that converts glucose and other organic molecules into usable cellular energy.

Nucleus

The control center or "brain" of the cell containing DNA, which provides coded directions for protein production and cell division.

Organelles

Specialized structures found within a cell that each carry out specific cell functions.

Plant Cells

Eukaryotic cells that differ from animal cells by possessing a cell wall and chloroplasts.

Ribosomes

Cellular structures made of RNA and protein, produced in the nucleolus, that serve as the site of protein synthesis.

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

A microscope that requires dead specimens, uses magnets and electrons instead of lenses, and can magnify up to $500{,}000\times$.

Compound Light Microscope (CLM)

A microscope that allows examination of living specimens, uses glass lenses and visible light, and reaches a maximum magnification around $1000\times$.

Cell Theory

The three-part biological theory stating that: 1. All living organisms are composed of cells; 2. Cells are the basic unit of structure and organization; 3. Cells come from pre-existing cells.

Unicellular Organism

An organism consisting of only $1$ cell, such as a bacterium made of one prokaryotic cell.

Multicellular Organism

An organism made up of several or many eukaryotic cells.

Vacuole

A membrane-bound vesicle used for temporary storage of materials like food, water, and waste inside the cell; large and central in plant cells, small and rare in animal cells.

X Chromosome

A sex chromosome containing genetic instructions, found in two copies in human females (XX) and one copy in human males (XY).

Y Chromosome

The sex chromosome found in males (XY) responsible for male characteristics, including male sexual organs and sperm production.

Zygote

A diploid fertilized egg cell ($46$ total chromosomes in humans) formed by the union of a female haploid gamete ($23$ chromosomes) and a male haploid gamete ($23$ chromosomes).