biology

prokaryotic cells

no nucleus, no membrane bound organelles, reproduce through binary fission

eukaryotic cells

contains dna close within a nuclear membrane, has membrane bound organelles, can be unicellular or multicellular, reproduce by mitosis.

extremophile

an organism that thrives in extreme environmental conditions that would be deadly to most life forms. These conditions can include high temperatures, extreme cold, high acidity, high salinity, or intense pressure. Most extremophiles are prokaryotic, such as bacteria and archaea

unicellular

means "made up of a single cell." Unicellular organisms carry out all life processes within one cell, including growth, reproduction, and metabolism

multicellular

means "made up of multiple cells." Multicellular organisms have specialized cells that work together to perform different functions, such as digestion, movement, and reproduction

nucleus

the membrane-bound organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains the genetic material (DNA) and controls cellular activities.

ribosomes

the cellular structures responsible for protein synthesis, found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

mitochondria

the organelles known as the powerhouse of the cell, responsible for producing ATP through cellular respiration.

chloroplast

the organelles in plant cells that conduct photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy.

lyosomes

the organelles that contain digestive enzymes to break down waste materials and cellular debris.

Golgi body

a cell organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for secretion or delivery to other organelles.

cytoplasm

the jelly-like substance within a cell that contains organelles and is the site of various cellular processes.

cell wall

a rigid outer layer that provides structural support and protection to plant cells, fungi, and some bacteria.

vacuole

a membrane-bound organelle that stores nutrients, waste products, and helps maintain turgor pressure in plant cells.

smooth endoplasmic reticulum

a type of endoplasmic reticulum that is involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification of drugs and poisons.

rough endoplasmic reticulum

a type of endoplasmic reticulum that is studded with ribosomes, involved in protein synthesis and processing.

surface area : volume ratio

a relationship that describes how the surface area of an object relates to its volume, important for understanding cellular processes and efficiency.

plasma membrane

the outer boundary of a cell, composed of a phospholipid bilayer that regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell.

semi permeable

describes a membrane that allows certain molecules or ions to pass through while blocking others, essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis.

fluid mosaic model

a model that describes the structure of cell membranes as a mosaic of various components, including phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates, allowing for flexibility and fluidity.

phospholipid

a lipid molecule with a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic tails, essential for forming cell membranes.

cholesterol

a type of lipid that is an essential component of cell membranes, helping to maintain membrane fluidity and stability.

amphipathic

describing molecules that have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions, which is crucial for the formation of cell membranes.

hydrophilic

"water-loving" and refers to molecules or substances that dissolve in or are attracted to water.

Hydrophobic

Referring to molecules that repel water and do not mix with it, often found in the interior of cell membranes.

Integral Protein

A type of membrane protein that is permanently attached to the biological membrane, often spanning across the membrane and involved in various functions such as transport and signaling.

glycoprotein

A molecule that consists of a protein bonded to a carbohydrate, playing key roles in cell recognition, signaling, and immune response.

peripheral protein

A type of membrane protein that is not embedded within the lipid bilayer but is loosely attached to the surface of the membrane, playing important roles in signaling and maintaining the cell's shape.

extracellular

Referring to the space or material outside of a cell, including fluid and connective tissues, often involved in cellular communication and nutrient exchange.

intracellular

refers to anything inside a cell, including fluids, organelles, and biological processes.

passive transport

the movement of molecules across a cell membrane without the use of energy, following a concentration gradient (from high to low concentration).

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diffusion

the passive movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to lower concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Facilitated Diffusion

a type of passive transport that allows substances to cross membranes with the assistance of channel proteins, aiding molecules that cannot directly pass through the lipid bilayer.

active transport

the movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring energy (usually in the form of ATP) to pump substances into or out of the cell.

osmosis

the movement of water molecules through a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration, aiming to equalize solute concentrations on both sides of the membrane.

hypotonic

a solution that has a lower concentration of solute compared to another solution, leading to the potential for water to move into cells, causing them to swell.

hypertonic

a solution that has a higher concentration of solute compared to another solution, which can cause water to move out of cells, potentially leading to cell shrinkage.

isotonic

a solution that has the same concentration of solute as another solution, resulting in no net movement of water molecules across a semipermeable membrane.

solute

the substance that is dissolved in a solution.

solvent

the substance in a solution that dissolves the solute, often present in greater quantity.

turgor

the pressure of the fluid (usually water) inside a plant cell against the cell wall, which helps maintain the cell's shape and structural integrity.

turgor pressure

refers to the pressure exerted by the fluid inside a cell against the cell wall due to osmosis. It occurs when water enters the cell, filling the vacuole and pushing the plasma membrane against the cell wall. This pressure helps maintain the cell's shape and rigidity.

lyse

to break down or burst a cell, usually due to damage, infection, or osmotic pressure.

plasmolysis

the process in which a plant cell loses water in a hypertonic solution, causing the cell membrane to pull away from the cell wall and resulting in a decrease in turgor pressure.