Unit 3 Lesson 1: The Cell as the Basic Unit of Structure and Function

Vocabulary flashcards based on Unit 3 Lesson 1 lecture notes covering cell definitions, organization, prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic structures, and cell organelles.

Cell

The basic unit of structure and function in any living organism.

Classification

The arrangement of living organisms into groups based on their similarities and differences to facilitate their study and identification.

Unicellular organisms

Microorganisms whose bodies consist of a single unspecialized cell that performs all vital processes necessary for life.

Multicellular organisms

Living organisms whose bodies consist of many cells that are differentiated in shape and structure and specialized in their function.

Microscopic organisms

Organisms that cannot be seen by the naked eye, but can be observed under a light microscope.

Prokaryotes

Simple, relatively small unicellular organisms whose genetic material is found in the cytoplasm and not surrounded by a nuclear membrane.

Eukaryotes

Organisms (unicellular or multicellular) whose bodies are more complex, relatively large, and contain a true nucleus where genetic material is surrounded by a nuclear membrane separating it from the cytoplasm.

Shared structures of bacterial, plant, and animal cells

Plasma membrane (cell membrane), ribosomes, and cytoplasm.

Shared structures of plant and animal cells

Plasma membrane, cytoplasm, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, nucleus, ribosomes, mitochondria, and vacuoles.

Distinguishing structures of plant cells

Cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large vacuole.

Distinguishing structures of animal cells

Centrosome and small vacuoles.

Unicellular Eukaryote Examples

Yeast fungus, Euglena, and Protozoa such as Amoeba and Paramecium.

Multicellular Eukaryote Examples

Plants (such as beans), animals (such as lion), and fungi (such as bread mold fungus and mushroom fungus).