Bio-Science Lecture: Cell Biology, Symbiosis, and Botany Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering cell structure, cell theory history, symbiosis, botanical adaptations (mangroves), animal classification, and experimental design terms relevant to the Growing Beyond Earth project.

Organelle

A specialized subunit within a cell that has a specific function.

Cell wall

A rigid structure found in plant cells, bacteria, and fungi that provides support and protection.

Cell membrane

A semi-permeable membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell, controlling the passage of substances.

Cytoplasm

The jelly-like material within a cell membrane that excludes the nucleus.

Nucleus

The central organelle that acts as the control center of the cell and contains genetic material.

Mitochondria

The organelle responsible for energy production, often referred to as the powerhouse of the cell.

Chloroplast

An organelle found in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs.

Vacuole

A storage sac within the cell used for holding water, nutrients, or waste.

Hooke

The scientist credited with first discovering and naming cells.

Anton von Leeuwenhoek

A key contributor to the Cell Theory known for observing living cells under a microscope.

Schleiden

The scientist who discovered that all plants are composed of cells.

Schwann

The scientist who discovered that all animals are composed of cells.

Virchow

The scientist who proposed that all cells come from pre-existing cells.

Symbiosis

A close and long-term biological interaction between two different species.

Mixotroph

An organism that can obtain energy from multiple sources, such as being both an autotroph and a heterotroph.

Coral Bleaching

The process where corals lose their symbiotic algae due to abiotic factors, leading to a loss of color and nutrients.

Mutualistic Symbiotic Relationship

A symbiotic interaction where both species involved benefit from each other.

Commensal Symbiotic Relationship

A relationship where one species benefits while the other is neither helped nor harmed.

Parasitic Symbiotic Relationship

A relationship where one species benefits (the parasite) at the expense of another (the host).

Average (mean)

The central value of a set of data calculated by dividing the sum of all values by the number of values.

Range

The difference between the highest and lowest values in a data set: $\text{highest number} - \text{lowest value} = \text{range}$.

Most common (mode)

The value that appears most frequently in a given data set.

Percent Survival Formula

$$\frac{\text{Surviving population}}{\text{Starting population}} \times 100$$

Percent Reproduced Formula

$$\frac{\text{Number of Offspring}}{\text{Surviving Population}} \times 100$$

Endotherms

Animals that can regulate their own body temperature internally.

Ectotherms

Animals that rely on external environment sources to regulate their body temperature.

Stomata

Small pores on plant leaves that allow for gas exchange.

Xylem

Vascular tissue in plants that transports water and minerals from the roots.

Phloem

Vascular tissue in plants that transports nutrients and sugars from the leaves.

Cuticle

The waxy, protective outer layer on the leaves of plants.

Lenticel

Tiny pores in the bark or roots of plants that facilitate gas exchange.

Pneumatophores

Specialized aerial roots that grow upward to help plants, like mangroves, obtain oxygen in waterlogged soil.

Vascular Bundles

Strands of conducting vessels including both xylem and phloem in vascular plants.

Propagules

Seedlings that are ready to grow upon dispersal, commonly found in mangroves.

Autotroph

An organism that is able to produce its own food from inorganic substances.

Heterotroph

An organism that must consume other organisms for food and energy.

Prokaryote

A unicellular organism that lacks a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, such as Bacteria.

Eukaryote

An organism whose cells contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

Hyphae

The branching, thread-like filaments that make up the body of a fungus.

Mycelium

A dense network of hyphae that forms the main body of a fungus.

Spores

Reproductive cells used by fungi and certain plants for dispersal.

Vaccine

A biological preparation used to provide immunity against a specific virus or disease.

Companion Planting

The practice of growing different plant species together for mutual benefits such as pest control or enhanced growth.

Allelopathy

The biological phenomenon where one plant species inhibits the growth of another through the release of chemicals.

Neighboring Effect

The influence that adjacent plants have on one another when grown in the same environment.

Abiotic

The non-living physical and chemical elements in an ecosystem.

Biotic

The living components or organisms within an ecosystem.

Independent Variable

The variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment to test the effects on the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable

The variable being tested and measured in a scientific experiment.

Controlled Variable

Factors in an experiment that are kept constant to ensure that only the independent variable affects the outcome.