Biology 1: Lesson 1 - Cell History and Structure

Flashcards covering the historical discovery of cells, the formulation of cell theory, and the specific functions of cellular organelles.

Hans and Zacharias Jansen

Dutch inventors who made the first simple microscope in $1590$.

Robert Hooke

An Englishman who gave the term "cell" for the box-like structures observed in a cork tissue under the microscope in $1665$.

Anton van Leeuwenhoek

Dutch Naturalist and "Father of Microbiology" who observed sperm cells, red blood cells, and bacteria in $1675$ using a powerful microscope.

Matthias Schleiden

A German botanist who stated in $1838$ that all plants are composed of cells.

Theodore Schwann

A German zoologist who concluded in $1839$ that all animals are composed of cells.

Rudolf Virchow

A German biologist who concluded in $1855$ that all living cells come from preexisting cells after observing dividing cells.

Cell Theory

A formulation stating that all living things are structurally made of cells, the cell is the fundamental unit of life, and cells come from preexisting cells.

Cell Membrane

A phospholipid bilayer with proteins that separates the cell from its environment and regulates the passage of materials.

Cytoplasm

The whole region within the cell membrane where organelles are found and perform functions in a substance called cytosol.

Cytosol

The jelly-like substance within the cytoplasm containing dissolved molecules like glucose, amino acids, and ions such as sodium, potassium, and calcium.

Nucleus

The control center of the cell that regulates all activities and contains $DNA$, the instructions for building and operating the cell.

Mitochondria

The sites for the breakdown of sugar molecules into Adenosine Triphosphate ($ATP$), which is the main source of energy in the body.

Ribosomes

Sites made in the nucleolus that read messenger $RNA$ to synthesize proteins.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

A network of membranes specializing in the transport of lipids and proteins, structurally continuous with the nuclear membrane.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle that functions to modify, sort, and pack macromolecules for secretion or transport.

Lysosome

A membrane-bound "digestive sac" containing hydrolytic enzymes for breaking down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Peroxisomes

Organelles containing enzymes that oxidize molecules to form hydrogen peroxide, specifically involved in metabolizing fats in liver cells and seeds.

Vacuoles

Large storage sacs for nutrients, water, or waste; plant cells typically have one large vacuole to maintain rigidity.

Centrosome

An organelle used by animal cells to reproduce by releasing stiff fibers called microtubules to split the cells apart.

Cytoskeleton

A network of interconnected protein filaments that provides structural support and is responsible for cell shape and motility.

Chloroplast

A green-colored plastid containing chlorophyll that serves as the site for photosynthesis.

Chromoplasts

Specialized plastids that synthesize and store carotenoid pigments such as red, orange, and yellow.

Leucoplasts

The colorless plastid that contains stored food.

Cell Wall

The outer layer found in plant cells that protects and supports the cell.