Cell Theory and Cell Biology - Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms from the lecture notes on cell theory, cell structures, prokaryotes vs eukaryotes, organelles, and related concepts.

CELL THEORY

All living things are made of cells; cells are the basic unit of structure and function; new cells arise from existing cells.

ROBERT HOOKE

1665; Cellula, calling them 'small rooms' that monks lived in.

ANTON VAN LEEUWENHOEK

1673; observed animalcules with a simple microscope.

MATTHIAS SCHLEIDEN

1838; stated that plants are made of cells.

THEODOR SCHWANN

1839; stated that animals are made of cells.

RUDOLPH VIRCHOW

1855; proposed that cell division explains how cells arise; debunked spontaneous generation.

MODERN CELL THEORY

Cells contain hereditary information; all cells are chemically similar; all basic functions occur inside cells; cell activity depends on subcellular structures.

LYNN MARGULIS

1970; proposed endosymbiotic theory—mitochondria and chloroplasts originated as free-living cells.

PROKARYOTE

Oldest cell type; small and simple; lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; usually single-celled.

EUKARYOTE

More complex cells with a nucleus and organelles; evolved from prokaryotes; can be single or multicellular.

CAPSULE

Gelatinous layer around some bacteria outside the cell wall; aids protection and adherence.

SLIME LAYER

External layer around some bacteria, less organized than a capsule.

PILI

Hair-like appendages used for attachment and DNA transfer in bacteria.

FIMBRIAE

Short attachment pili that help bacteria adhere to surfaces.

FLAGELLUM

Long whip-like structure used for locomotion; various arrangement patterns.

MONOTRICHOUS

One flagellum at one pole.

LOPHOTRICHOUS

Tuft of flagella at one pole.

AMPHITRICHOUS

Flagella at both poles.

PERITRICHOUS

Flagella distributed all over the surface.

GRAM-NEGATIVE

Bacteria with a thin peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane.

GRAM-POSITIVE

Bacteria with a thick peptidoglycan layer and no outer membrane.

CELL WALL (PLANTS/BACTERIA/FUNGI)

Plants: cellulose; Bacteria: peptidoglycan; Fungi: chitin.

CELL MEMBRANE

Phospholipid bilayer surrounding the cell; controls entry and exit of substances.

PHOSPHOLIPID BILAYER

Two-layer membrane with hydrophobic interior; proteins and glycoproteins embedded.

PERIPHERAL PROTEINS

Proteins on the surface of the membrane.

INTEGRAL PROTEINS

Proteins embedded through the membrane (span the bilayer).

GLYCOPROTEINS

Proteins with carbohydrate chains used for cell recognition.

NUCLEUS

Control center of the cell; contains genetic material; houses DNA and nucleolus.

NUCLEAR ENVELOPE

Double membrane surrounding the nucleus with nuclear pores.

NUCLEAR PORE

Openings in the nuclear envelope that regulate transport of molecules.

NUCLEOLUS

Region inside the nucleus where ribosomal RNA is synthesized.

CHROMATIN

DNA-associated proteins that condense to form chromosomes during division.

CHROMOSOME

Threadlike structures carrying genes; linear in eukaryotes, circular in many prokaryotes.

GENE

Unit of heredity; a DNA segment that codes for a product (protein or RNA).

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; the molecule that stores genetic information.

CYTOSKELETON

Network of protein filaments that gives shape, aids movement, and enables organelle transport.

MICROFILAMENTS

Actin filaments involved in cell movement and shape changes.

INTERMEDIATE FILAMENTS

Filaments providing mechanical support and shape.

MICROTUBULES

Tubular structures that give shape and form; form the mitotic spindle.

CENTRIOLES

Animal cell structures that organize the mitotic spindle during cell division.

MITOCHONDRION

Powerhouse of the cell; produces ATP by cellular respiration; has cristae and matrix.

CRISTAe

Folds of the inner mitochondrial membrane that increase surface area.

MATRIX

Fluid inside mitochondrion where respiration occurs.

ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM

Network of membranous tubules; site of synthesis and transport.

ROUGH ER

ER with ribosomes; synthesizes proteins.

SMOOTH ER

ER without ribosomes; synthesizes lipids and detoxifies.

GOLGI APPARATUS

Flattened sacs that modify, sort, and ship proteins; cis and trans faces; vesicle transport.

LYSOSOME

Organelle with hydrolytic enzymes for digestion and waste processing.

VACUOLE

Storage vesicle; plant cells have a large central vacuole; may contain cell sap; contractile vacuoles in some cells.

CHLOROPLAST

Photosynthetic organelle in plants/algae; contains thylakoids (granum) and stroma.

PLASTID

General term for plant organelles including chloroplasts and related structures.

PEROXISOME

Organelle that breaks down hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen.

XYLEM

Plant vascular tissue that transports water and minerals.

GUARD CELL

Specialized plant cell controlling stomatal opening and gas exchange.

POLLEN

Male gametophyte in plants; involved in fertilization.

TOTIPOTENT

Stem cells that can differentiate into any cell type.

PLURIPOTENT

Stem cells that can differentiate into several, but not all, cell types.

MULTIPOTENT

Stem cells that can develop into a limited number of cell types.

UNICELLULAR

Organisms consisting of a single cell.

MULTICELLULAR

Organisms composed of many cells.

PLASMID

Small circular DNA molecule in bacteria carrying accessory genes.

F-PLASMID

F factor; fertility plasmid enabling conjugation (bacterial gene transfer).

R-PLASMID

Plasmid carrying antibiotic resistance genes.

COLICIN PLASMID

Plasmid that carries genes for colicin toxins.

VIRULENCE PLASMID

Plasmid carrying virulence genes.

DEGENERATIVE PLASMID

Plasmid associated with loss or reduction of function.

STICHONEMATIC

Flagella with hair on only one side

PANTONEMATIC

Flagella with Hair on BOTH sides

ACRONEMATIC

Flagella without any hair