Cell Biology, Mitosis, Metabolism, and Microorganisms

A complete vocabulary review set based on lecture notes covering cell theory, organelle functions, mitosis, cellular transport, metabolism, and microbial growth dynamics.

Macrobiome

Microscopic organisms that live in a particular environment such as the human body or soil.

Cell Theory

The fundamental biological principle stating that all living organisms are composed of one or more cells, the cell is the most basic unit of life, and all cells arise only from pre-existing cells.

Prokaryotic Cells

Cells lacking internal membrane-bound structures, typical of most unicellular organisms such as bacteria.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells containing membrane-bound structures, typical of most multicellular organisms such as plants and animals.

Nucleus

An organelle containing the DNA of the cell with a membrane that has pores allowing RNA to leave.

Nucleolus

A dark spot inside the nucleus that makes ribosomal RNA to synthesize ribosomes and controls cell activity.

Ribosomes

Non-membrane-bound structures made of small and large subunits that synthesize proteins from information provided by the nucleus.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

A major site of protein synthesis with attached ribosomes that produces, folds and transports proteins.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

An organelle that synthesizes lipids and is involved in the detoxification of drugs, poisons, and alcohol. Located in the cytoplasm of Eukaryotic cells.

Golgi Body

Flattened stacks of smooth membrane that modify, sort, and package proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates from the rough ER for transport out of the cell.

Mitochondria

Membrane-bound organelles that serve as the site of cellular respiration, using oxygen to break and reform bonds in sugar to release energy yielding roughly $36$ to $68$ ATP molecules.

Chloroplasts

Plant cell organelles containing fluid called stroma and thylakoids arranged in granum, where chlorophylls interact with light to carry out photosynthesis.

Cell Wall

A protective outer layer that sits just outside the cell membrane, that protects plant cells and gives them a fixed shape.

Large Central Vacuole

A large organelle in plant cells that stores water, sugar, and salt, helping to balance water and maintain cell shape.

Lysosomes

Membrane-enclosed vesicles containing enzymes that break down organic molecules.

Cytoskeleton

Cellular scaffolding that holds organelles in place, moves vesicles and organelles, and aids in separating chromosomes during cell division.

Prophase

The phase of mitosis where chromatin condenses into x-shaped chromosomes composed of sister chromatids and a mitotic spindle appears.

Metaphase

The phase of mitosis during which the nucleus dissolves and chromosomes line up along the center or equator of the cell.

M-Middle

Anaphase

The phase of mitosis where spindle fibers connect to centromeres and pull sister chromatids apart toward opposite ends of the cell.

A-Apart

Telophase

The phase of mitosis where a nuclear membrane forms around each set of separated chromosomes and chromosomes begin to uncoil.

T- Two (Two new nuclear membrane form)

Cytokinesis

The process following telophase that divides the cytoplasm of the parental cell into two distinct daughter cells.

Binary Fission

A simple form of asexual reproduction occurring in prokaryotes that produces two genetically identical daughter cells without forming a mitotic spindle.

Autotrophic Organisms

Organisms that make their own food from simple inorganic substances such as water, light, carbon dioxide or chemical energy.

Heterotrophic Organisms

Organisms that cannot produce their own food and must obtain nutrition from other sources of organic carbon such as plant or animal matter.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The primary energized energy molecule used at the cellular level, which cycles with its unenergized form, ADP (adenosine diphosphate).

Lactic Acid Fermentation

An anaerobic process occurring in bacteria and animal cells where glucose is partially broken down to form lactic acid when oxygen levels are low.

Alcohol Fermentation

An anaerobic process where organisms such as brewer's yeast convert glucose into ethanol and carbon dioxide.

Phospholipid Bilayer

A double-layered cell membrane structure with hydrophobic tails pointing inward and hydrophilic heads directed outward, providing a stable boundary between aqueous environments.

Diffusion

The passive transport mechanism where particles spread out evenly down their concentration gradient from high to low concentration without requiring net energy.

Osmosis

The passive diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to high solute concentration.

Hypertonic Solution

An extracellular solution with a higher concentration of solutes than the intracellular environment, causing water to move out of the cell.

Isotonic Solution

A solution where intracellular and extracellular solute concentrations are balanced, resulting in no net movement of water.

Hypotonic Solution

An extracellular solution with a lower concentration of solutes than the intracellular environment, causing water to move into the cell.

Active Transport

The energy-requiring process using transport proteins and ATP to transfer materials across the cell membrane against their concentration gradient.

Archaea

Unicellular microorganisms living in extreme environments, such as Pyrolobus fumarii which inhabits hydrothermal vents at temperatures up to $113\,^{\circ}\text{C}$.

Lag Phase

The initial phase of bacterial growth during which cells adapt to their environment prior to active division.

Log Phase

The phase of exponential bacterial growth where cells grow and divide at regular intervals.

Stationary Phase

The bacterial growth phase where nutrients and gases are consumed, waste materials accumulate, and population growth stabilizes.

Decline Phase

The final phase of bacterial growth where cells run out of essential nutrients and population numbers decrease over time.