General Biology 1 Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for General Biology 1 covering scientific skills, cell theory, cell types, cell organelles, and the cell cycle.

Biology

Study of living things, their structures, functions, and relationships with the environment.

Cytology

Study of cells.

Heredity

Transmission of traits from parents to offspring.

Classification

Organizes living things to make them easier to study.

Observing

Gathering information.

Classifying

Grouping by shared characteristics.

Inferring

Drawing a conclusion from observations.

Qualitative

Descriptive information.

Quantitative

Numerical/measurement data.

Independent variable

Factor changed by the researcher.

Dependent variable

Factor measured/observed.

Controlled variable

Factor kept constant.

Scientific Method

Sequence of steps: Observation -> Question -> Hypothesis -> Test -> Results/Conclusion.

Spontaneous Generation / Abiogenesis

Historical idea that life can arise from nonliving matter.

Biogenesis

Living organisms come from other living organisms.

Francesco Redi

Conducted meat + flies experiment; supported biogenesis.

Louis Pasteur

Conducted swan-neck flask experiment; challenged spontaneous generation.

Cell Theory

1. All living organisms are made of cells. 2. The cell is the basic unit of life. 3. Cells come from pre-existing cells.

Robert Hooke

Coined “cell” after observing cork.

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

Observed microorganisms.

Matthia chleiden

Associated with plant cells in cell theory.

Theodor

Associated with animal cells in cell theory.

Rudolf Virchow

Stated “All cells come from pre-existing cells”.

Prokaryotic

No defined nucleus; no membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryotic

Defined nucleus; membrane-bound organelles.

Plant cell

Cell wall + chloroplasts + large central vacuole.

Animal cell

No cell wall/chloroplasts; centrioles commonly present.

Nucleus

Controls cell activities; contains genetic material (Easy way to remember: Boss).

Ribosome

Makes proteins (Easy way to remember: Protein maker).

Rough ER

Helps produce/process proteins (Easy way to remember: Protein factory).

Smooth ER

Produces lipids; detoxification (Easy way to remember: Lipids + Detox).

Golgi apparatus

Modifies, sorts, and packages materials (Easy way to remember: Packaging center).

Mitochondria

Produces ATP through cellular respiration (Easy way to remember: Powerhouse).

Chloroplast

Performs photosynthesis (Easy way to remember: Solar panel).

Vacuole

Stores water, nutrients, and waste (Easy way to remember: Storage room).

Lysosome

Breaks down damaged cell parts/materials (Easy way to remember: Garbage disposal).

Peroxisome

Breaks down fatty acids; detoxification (Easy way to remember: Clean-up crew).

Cell membrane

Controls what enters and exits the cell (Easy way to remember: Security gate).

Cell wall

Provides support, shape, and protection (Easy way to remember: Wall).

Cytoplasm

Material where organelles are suspended (Easy way to remember: Cell space).

Cytoskeleton

Provides structure and helps organize cell movement (Easy way to remember: Skeleton).

Microtubules

Help with cell structure and movement of materials (Easy way to remember: Tracks).

Cilia

Helps with movement (Easy way to remember: Short hairs).

Flagella

Helps with movement (Easy way to remember: Long tail).

Centrioles

Help organize structures involved in cell division (Easy way to remember: Division helper).

Cell Diagram

Diagram illustrating key cell organelles, including the cell membrane, cytoplasm, mitochondrion, nucleus, DNA, endoplasmic reticulum, lysosome, ribosome, and Golgi apparatus.

Cell Cycle Diagram

Diagram showing the stages of the cell cycle: G1 (Cell Growth), S (DNA Replication), G2 (Preparation for Mitosis), M / Mitosis (Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase), Cytokinesis (Cell Division), and G0.

G1 phase

Cell growth; proteins and organelles produced (Grow).

S phase

DNA replication (Synthesize DNA).

G2 phase

Preparation for mitosis and DNA checking/repair (Get Ready).

Mitosis — PMAT

Nuclear division sequence: Prophase -> Metaphase -> Anaphase -> Telophase.

Prophase

Chromosomes condense.

Metaphase

Chromosomes line up in the middle.

Anaphase

Sister chromatids separate.

Telophase

Nuclear envelopes reform.

Cytokinesis

Cytoplasm divides into two daughter cells.

Spindle fibers

Help align and separate chromosomes.

G2 checkpoint

Checks DNA replication/damage before mitosis.