Characteristics of Life and Cell Theory Vocabulary

A collection of vocabulary flashcards defining key biological concepts, cellular structures, and origins of life based on the class lecture.

Biology

The study of life or living organisms, which appear to descend from a common ancestor that lived on Earth about 4 billion years ago.

Five Characteristics of Life

The minimal set of defining traits exhibited by living organisms: being made of one or more cells, being capable of replication, being capable of evolving, processing information, and acquiring and using energy.

Viruses

Biological entities that contain genetic information, mutate, and evolve, but are not composed of cells and must rely on host organisms to reproduce.

Prokaryote

A single-celled organism containing genetic material enclosed by a membrane that originated prior to the appearance of organelles and a nucleus.

Prokaryote (Etymology)

A term literally translating to "before a kernel," referring to forms of life that originated before the appearance of organelles and the nucleus.

Eukaryote

An organism characterized by the presence of membrane-bound organelles and a nucleus, which arose through endosymbiosis.

Eukaryote (Etymology)

A term literally translating to "true kernel," referring to the presence of the nucleus.

Endosymbiosis

The evolutionary process through which eukaryotes arose billions of years ago, resulting in the appearance of organelles.

Organelles

Cellular structures responsible for specialized functions that separate those functions from the rest of the cell.

Nucleus

The organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains genetic information and gives eukaryotes their name.

Cell Theory

The foundational concept in biology stating that all organisms are made of cells and that all cells come from preexisting cells.

Spontaneous Generation

A displaced historical theory suggesting that biological organisms could arise spontaneously from non-living matter under certain conditions.

Plasma Membrane

A clear boundary that separates the smallest living system, a cell, from its external environment.

Unicellular

Describing organisms that consist of a single cell, such as a bacterium.

Multicellular

Describing organisms composed of many cells, which often demonstrate cell specialization into distinct cell types.