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A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key biology terms from the notes, including cell theory, cell structures, tissues, transport, and microscopy.
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Biology
The science of life; the study of living organisms and their processes.
Etymology of Biology
From Greek bios (life) and logos (study of), meaning the study of life.
Cell Theory
All living things are made of cells; the cell is the basic unit of life; all cells come from pre-existing cells.
Endosymbiotic Theory
Idea that organelles like mitochondria and chloroplasts originated as free-living prokaryotes engulfed by a host cell.
Prokaryotic Cell
Cell that lacks a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; DNA is circular and located in the nucleoid.
Eukaryotic Cell
Cell with a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; can be single-celled or multicellular.
Gram-Positive Bacteria
Bacteria with thick peptidoglycan walls that retain crystal violet stain (blue/purple).
Gram-Negative Bacteria
Bacteria with thin peptidoglycan walls and an outer membrane; stain pink/red.
Mitochondrion
Powerhouse of the cell; produces ATP; contains own DNA; has outer and inner membranes and cristae.
Chloroplast
Plant plastid that conducts photosynthesis; contains chlorophyll and its own DNA; double membrane.
Ribosome
Molecular machines that synthesize proteins; 70S in prokaryotes, 80S in eukaryotes; may be free or bound.
Nucleus
Membrane-bound organelle that houses DNA; contains chromatin, nucleolus; enclosed by the nuclear envelope with pores.
Nucleolus
Region inside the nucleus where ribosomal subunits are assembled.
Chromatin
uncoiled DNA in the nucleus; condenses to form chromosomes during cell division.
Chromosome
Condensed DNA structure containing genetic information; comprised of two sister chromatids joined at the centromere.
Nuclear Envelope
Double membrane surrounding the nucleus; connected to the endoplasmic reticulum.
Nuclear Pore
Protein channels that regulate passage of molecules into and out of the nucleus.
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
Membrane network; Rough ER has ribosomes for protein synthesis; Smooth ER synthesizes lipids and detoxes.
Golgi Apparatus
Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins into vesicles; cis (receiving) and trans (shipping) faces.
Lysosome
Organelle with digestive enzymes that break down waste and damaged cell parts; Tay-Sachs disease relates to lysosome function.
Ribosome Location
Ribosomes can be free-floating in the cytoplasm or bound to the endoplasmic reticulum.
Endomembrane System
Interconnected membranes including the nuclear envelope, ER, Golgi, vesicles, and lysosomes.
Mitochondria DNA (mtDNA)
Mitochondria contain their own DNA, inherited maternally in many organisms.
Cytoskeleton
Network of microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments that gives the cell shape and enables movement.
Cilia
Short, numerous locomotor organelles on the cell surface; aid movement of substances over the cell; not present in plant cells.
Flagella
Long, few locomotor appendages used for propulsion; types include monotrichous, lophotrichous, amphitrichous, and peritrichous.
Cell Wall
Rigid outer layer that provides structure and protection; in plants, fungi, and most bacteria.
Plastids
Plant organelles including chloroplasts; involved in storage and photosynthesis.
Chlorophyll
Green pigment in chloroplasts that captures light energy for photosynthesis.
Vacuole
Membrane-bound storage sacs; large central vacuole in plant cells maintains turgor; smaller vacuoles in animal cells.
Plant Cell vs Animal Cell
Plant cells have cell walls, chloroplasts, and a large central vacuole; animal cells lack cell walls and chloroplasts.
Basement Membrane
Thin layer that connects epithelium to underlying connective tissue.
Epithelium
Tightly packed cells forming a covering or lining; functions include protection, secretion, absorption, excretion, and filtration.
Gland (Exocrine vs Endocrine)
Epithelial tissue that secretes products; exocrine glands secrete into ducts, endocrine glands secrete into the bloodstream.
Junctions (Tight, Gap, Desmosomes)
Cellular connections: Tight junctions seal space between cells; gap junctions allow passage of ions; desmosomes provide structural stability.
Connective Tissue
Tissue that binds, supports, and protects; has an extracellular matrix rich in collagen, elastin, and reticular fibers.
Matrix
Non-cellular material in connective tissue composed of proteins and water/minerals.
Cartilage Types
Hyaline (flexible), fibrocartilage (tension/pressure support), elastic cartilage (flexible framework).
Bone
Rigid connective tissue with a mineralized matrix; contains compact and spongy bone.
Blood
Fluid connective tissue; transports nutrients, gases, wastes; contains red cells, white cells, and platelets.
Muscle Tissue
Contractile tissue responsible for movement; skeletal, smooth, and cardiac types.
Nervous Tissue
Tissue with neurons and supporting glial cells; handles sensing, processing, and transmitting signals.
Meristem
Plant tissue of actively dividing cells that generate new growth; apical, lateral, and intercalary meristems.
Xylem
Vascular tissue that transports water and minerals upward; consists of dead, lignified cells.
Phloem
Vascular tissue that transports sugars and nutrients; living cells that move substances in multiple directions.
Dermal Tissue (Epidermis, Periderm)
Outermost protective tissues of plants; epidermis is the skin of leaves and stems; periderm replaces epidermis in woody parts.
Ground Tissue (Parenchyma, Collenchyma, Sclerenchyma)
Tissues involved in photosynthesis, storage, and support; parenchyma is general-purpose; collenchyma provides flexible support; sclerenchyma provides rigid support.
Vascular Tissue (Xylem and Phloem)
Tissues for long-distance transport of water/minerals (xylem) and sugars (phloem) in plants.
Cell Membrane Transport
Movement of substances across the plasma membrane, including passive and active processes.
Concentration Gradient
Gradual change in solute concentration; substances move from high to low concentration.
Diffusion
Passive movement of small particles across the membrane down their concentration gradient.
Osmosis
Diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane following water’s concentration gradient.
Facilitated Diffusion
Passive transport of large or polar molecules via membrane proteins; no energy required.
Active Transport
Energy-dependent transport moving substances against their gradient via pumps (e.g., Na+/K+ pump).
Endocytosis
Process of taking in material by engulfing with the cell membrane; includes pinocytosis and phagocytosis.
Exocytosis
Process of releasing materials from the cell via vesicle fusion with the plasma membrane.
Nucleoplasm
Fluid inside the nucleus that surrounds the chromatin and nucleolus.
Chromatids/Chromosomes/Centromere
Duplicated sister chromatids form a chromosome; centromere holds them together.
Centrosome and Centrioles
Organize microtubules and form the spindle during cell division.
Kinetochores
Protein structures at the centromere where microtubules attach during mitosis.
Cytokinesis
Division of the cytoplasm that follows mitosis/meiosis.
Mitosis
Nuclear division producing two genetically identical diploid daughter cells; stages include prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
Meiosis
Cell division producing four haploid gametes with genetic variation; includes synapsis and crossing over (chiasmata).
Synapsis
Pairing of homologous chromosomes during meiosis I.
Chiasmata
Sites of crossing over between homologous chromosomes during meiosis.
Kinase (Checkpoint Regulation)
Enzyme that adds phosphate groups to proteins to regulate cell cycle progression and checkpoints.
Tay-Sachs Disease
Genetic disorder caused by accumulation of fats in nerve cells due to lysosomal dysfunction.
Histology
Study of tissues and their microscopic structure.
Microscopy
Techniques for visualizing cells and tissues; includes light and electron microscopy.
Light Microscope
Microscope using visible light and compound lenses; lower magnification.
Electron Microscope
Microscope using electron beams; includes SEM (surface) and TEM (internal structures).
SEM
Scanning Electron Microscope; provides detailed images of a specimen’s surface.
TEM
Transmission Electron Microscope; provides images of internal cell structures by transmitting electrons through thin specimens.
Micrometer (µm)
Unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter.
Nanometer (nm)
Unit of length equal to one billionth of a meter.
Angstrom (Å)
Unit equal to 0.1 nanometers.
Historically Important Figures in Cell Theory
Janssen (compound microscope); Leeuwenhoek (simple microscope; observed bacteria); Hooke (coined ‘cell’); Virchow (cells come from pre-existing cells).
Zoonotic
Diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
Biogenesis
Life arises from pre-existing life; opposite of spontaneous generation.
Spontaneous Generation (Abiogenesis)
The outdated idea that life could arise from non-living matter; disproven by Redi and Pasteur.