General Biology 1: Cell Theory, Machinery, and Cell Varieties

Vocabulary flashcards covering the discovery of cells, cell theory, life processes, organelles, prokaryotes vs. eukaryotes, bacterial anatomy, and specialized human body cell types based on General Biology 1 lecture notes.

Microplasma gallicepticum

A disease-causing bacteria in birds that is the smallest cell, measuring as small as $0.3\,\text{nanometres}$.

Ostrich's Egg

The largest cell, which can reach up to $6\,\text{inches}$ in diameter.

Hans Lippershey & Zacharias Janssen

Scientists in the 1590s credited for the production of lenses.

Robert Hooke

Scientist who coined the term "cell" in 1665 upon finding it in cork, and inventor of the compound microscope.

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

Scientist who devised his own microscope in 1674, described cells in pond water as "animalcules", and is known as the Father of Ancient Microbiology.

Animalcules

The name given by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in 1674 to cells he described in a drop of pond water.

Matthias Jakob Schleiden

Botanist who concluded in 1838 that all plants are made up of cells and proposed the cell theory.

Theodor Schwann

Zoologist who concluded in 1839 that all animals are made of cells and proposed the cell theory.

Rudolf Ludwig Carl Virchow

Scientist who completed the cell theory in 1855 by expounding his famous conclusion "omnis cellula e cellula" (all cells come from pre-existing cells).

Francesco Redi

Scientist who disproved the theory of spontaneous generation in 1668 by proving maggots only appear on rotting meat when flies lay eggs on it.

Spontaneous Generation

The hypothetical process by which living organisms develop from non-living matter.

First Unified Cell Theory

Theory proposed in the late 1830s stating: 1. The cell is the basic unit of life; 2. All living things are composed of one or more cells; and 3. Cell form by free-cell formation (Spontaneous generation).

Finalized Unified Cell Theory

Theory stating: 1. The cell is the basic unit of life; 2. All living things are composed of one or more cells; and 3. New cells arise from existing cells.

Nutrition

The cell life process by which organisms take in food and utilize it for energy, growth, and repair.

Digestion

The process by which food particles are broken down into smaller soluble units suitable for cell use with the help of enzymes.

Absorption

The process by which cells absorb water, minerals, and other materials essential to life from their environment.

Biosynthesis

The process by which all cells organize complex chemicals from simple building units or substances.

Excretion

The removal of metabolic waste products from the body.

Egestion

The process by which insoluble, non-digested particles are eliminated by the cell.

Secretion

The process by which substances that are synthesized by the cells are expelled from the membrane.

Movement

The cell life process including the locomotion of a cell by means of special structures like cilia or flagella.

Irritability

The ability to detect and respond to changes in the environment.

Respiration

The process of breaking down food molecules into chemical energy needed by all cells in order to function.

Reproduction

The process by which a cell copies or replicates its DNA and increases its number by cell division.

Cell Membrane

The outer membrane of the cell that controls movement in and out of the cell.

Cell Wall

Structure most commonly found in plant cells and bacteria that supports and protects the cell.

Cytoplasm

Jelly-like structure inside the cell surrounded by the cell membrane.

Nucleus

Organelle that directs cellular activities, is separated from cytoplasm by nuclear membrane, and contains hereditary materials.

Nuclear Envelope

Structure surrounding the nucleus that allows materials to enter and leave the nucleus.

Nucleolus

Structure found inside the nucleus containing RNA to build proteins.

Ribosomes

Organelles responsible for protein synthesis that can be found attached or free floating.

Vacuoles

Membrane-bound sacs used for storage, digestion, and waste removal.

Mitochondrion

Organelle that produces energy through chemical reactions.

Golgi Apparatus

Organelle known as the "protein packaging plant" that moves materials within and outside of the cell.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Organelle consisting of two major regions: smooth endoplasmic reticulum and rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Lysosome

Organelle responsible for the breakdown/digestion of macromolecules, cell membrane repairs, and responses against foreign substances such as bacteria, viruses, and other antigens.

Peroxisome

Small single-membrane vesicles found around the cell containing digestive enzymes for breaking down materials.

Cytoskeleton

A system of filaments or fibers in eukaryotic cytoplasm that maintains cell shape and is responsible for cell locomotion and organelle movement.

Chloroplast

Organelle commonly found in plant cells containing chlorophyll and responsible for photosynthesis.

Centrioles

Structures whose purpose is to help organize microtubules to be utilized during cell division.

Prokaryotic

Single-celled organisms lacking a nucleus (derived from Greek "pro" meaning before and "karyon" meaning nut) whose genetic material is not stored in a nucleus.

Bacteria

Single-celled microscopic prokaryotic microorganisms that lack nuclei and other organized cell structures.

Pathogenic

Term referring to disease-causing species.

Micron (Micrometer)

The fundamental unit of measurement in bacteriology; one micrometer ($1\,\mu\text{m}$) is one thousandth of a millimeter ($\frac{1}{1000}\,\text{mm}$).

Coccus

Bacterial arrangement consisting of 1 cell.

Diplo

Bacterial arrangement consisting of 2 cells.

Tetrad

Bacterial arrangement consisting of 4 cells.

Strepto

Bacterial arrangement consisting of 6 cells.

Sarcinae

Bacterial arrangement consisting of 8 cells.

Staphylo

Bacterial arrangement consisting of 10 cells.

Flagella

Bacterial movement structures made up of linear proteins called flagellins.

Capsule

Bacterial structure for attachment to surfaces, protection against phagocytic engulfment, and reserve of nutrients or protection against desiccation.

Plasma Membrane (Bacterial)

Selectively permeable layer made up of a phosphate layer (hydrophilic) and two fatty acid layers (hydrophobic) that controls entry and exit of materials.

Chromosomes (Bacterial)

Tangle of double-stranded DNA localized in the cytoplasm, not surrounded by a membrane.

Cell Wall (Bacterial)

Protective layer made up of peptidoglycan, categorized as gram+ (violet/blue) and gram- (red, pink).

Eukaryotic

Complex cells (from Greek "eu" meaning good/true and "karyon" meaning nut) with a nucleus storing genetic material and containing many organelles.

Hematocyte

Another name for a blood cell, produced through hematopoiesis and found mainly in the blood.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells.

Leukocytes

White blood cells.

Thrombocytes

Platelets.

Neutrophils

Blood cells that kill bacteria, fungi, and foreign debris.

Monocytes

Blood cells that clean up damaged cells.

Eosinophils

Blood cells that kill parasites, cancer cells, and are involved in allergic response.

Lymphocytes

Blood cells that help fight viruses and make antibodies.

Basophils

Blood cells involved in allergic response.

Adipocytes / Lipocytes

Also known as fat cells; act as fuel reserves and help conserve body heat.

Keratinocytes

Skin cells that produce keratin.

Melanocytes

Skin cells that produce melanin.

Merkel Cells

Skin cells that help you sense touch.

Langerhans Cells

Skin cells that work to protect the body against pathogens.

Endothelial Cells

Thin layer of cells that line the interior surface of all blood vessels.

Nerve Cells

Primary cells in the nervous system responsible for relaying electrical messages to cells and tissues in other organ systems.

Gametes

Sex cells unique to organisms that reproduce sexually.