Cell Theory and Biology Fundamentals

Flashcards covering the history of cell theory, the discovery of cells by Hooke and Leeuwenhoek, cell size mathematics, and the distinct characteristics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.

Cells

The basic units of living organisms and the basic structural and functional unit of all life.

Robert Hooke

A scientist who looked at a thin slice of cork under a microscope and was the first to see dead cells, which he named "Cells" because they looked like "prison cells" or "little rooms."

Anton van Leeuwenhoek

The first person to see live cells by looking at pond scum and dental scrapings through a microscope he invented; he was also the first to see bacteria.

Animalcules

The name Anton van Leeuwenhoek gave to the moving things he observed under the microscope.

Mathias Sceiden

A German Botanist who concluded that all plants are made of cells.

Schwann

A German physiologist who stated that all animals are made of cells.

Cell Theory

A fundamental theory stating that 1. Cells are the basic unit of life, 2. Every living thing is made of cells, and 3. New cells are produced from existing cells.

Ostrich egg

Identified as the biggest single cell, used to illustrate surface area to volume ratios.

Surface area to volume ratio ($SA/V$ ratio)

A measurement that explains why cells are small; larger cells have less surface area relative to volume, making them less efficient at moving nutrients and waste.

Prokaryotes

Primitive, single-celled organisms that are small and simple, lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, and have DNA floating free in the cytoplasm.

Eukaryotes

Complex organisms that can be single-celled or multicellular, contain a nucleus and organized organelles, and are approximately $10 imes$ larger than prokaryotes.

Eubacteria

A type of prokaryote described as "normal" bacteria.

Archaebacteria

A type of prokaryote that mostly lives in extreme environments.

Nucleus

The defining feature of a eukaryotic cell where DNA is contained.

Subcellular structures common to all cells

Structures found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, including DNA, ribosomes, cytoplasm, and the plasma membrane.

Cell wall (cellulose)

A structure found in plant cells but not animal cells.

Flagellum

A tail-like subcellular structure found on typical bacterial cells used for movement.