Comprehensive Biology: Cell Theory, Cell Cycle, and Human Cells

ABIOGENESIS

Bio, meaning life, and Genesis, meaning non-living. An idea proposed by Aristotle.

Francesco Redi

Challenged Spontaneous Generation. He says that the maggots came from the flies, not the meat.

John Needham

He challenged Redi's experiment. Experimented with Broth.

Lazzaro Spallanzani

Challenged Needham's Experiment.

Louis Pasteur

Convinced most scientists at the time that spontaneous generation isn't real. He boiled sugar with yeast, and the flasks were left open, but no organisms developed because most of them were stuck at the bottom of the neck of the flask and could not reach the mixture. When he cut the neck, the organisms finally began to grow.

Divine Creation

A belief that says God created the world.

Spontaneous Origin

Life was created from inanimate objects. They start with molecules and other basic components before becoming more complex over time.

Panspermia

The belief is that life arose outside Earth and that life forms were transported from another planet to serve as seeds of life on Earth.

Taxonomy

Study of naming and classifying organisms.

Cytology

Study of the Structures and functions of cells.

Embryology

Study of the formation and development of organisms.

Anatomy

Study of structures and parts of organisms.

Physiology

Study of the functions of living organisms.

Biochemistry

Study of biochemical compositions and processes of living things.

Genetics

Study heredity and variation.

Evolution

Study of the origin and differentiation of various organisms.

Ecology

Study of the relationships of organisms with each other and their environment.

Bioinformatics

Study of biological data using computer programs.

Genomics

Study of the entire genetic material of an organism.

Molecular Biology

Study of molecules that make up the cells of organisms.

Pharmacogenomics

Study of how genes affect a person's response to drugs.

Proteomics

Study of different proteins in an organism.

Synthetic biology

Study of artificial biological systems.

Systems Biology

Study of computational and mathematical modeling of biological systems.

Microbiology

Study of microorganisms.

Botany

Study of plants.

Zoology

Study of animals.

Cell Theory

The Cell Theory states that all organisms are made up of cells, cells are the smallest basic structure and function in organisms, and cells arise only from previously existing cells through CELL DIVISION.

CELL DIVISION

The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells.

CELLS

Basic Units of Life. These are basic structural units. Cells are semi-permeable, meaning they filter out and take in essential nutrients.

Organelles

This means 'little organs'.

Unicellular Organisms

Made up of a single cell.

Multicellular Organisms

Multiple cells.

Eukaryotic Cells

Many-celled organism (Multicellular) with more organelles.

Prokaryotic Cells

Single-celled organism (unicellular) that reproduces asexually and is enclosed by a soft plasma membrane.

Plasma/Cell Membrane

Regulates the passage of materials in and out of the cell.

Cytoplasm

Gel-like substance that makes up the cell's environment.

Nucleus

Contains the genetic material in the form of DNA.

Phospholipid Bilayer

A double layer of phospholipids that makes up the cell membrane.

Charged Phosphate Group

The 'head' of the phospholipid that is hydrophilic.

Glycerol

The 'backbone' that connects the head to the tail of the phospholipid.

Fatty Acid Chains

The 'tails' of the phospholipid that are hydrophobic.

Hydrophilic Head

Attracted to water and allows interaction with watery environments.

Hydrophobic Tail

Repels water and creates a barrier preventing water-soluble substances from passing through the cell membrane.

Cholesterol Molecules

Strengthens the cell membrane and makes it flexible but less permeable to water-soluble substances.

Carbohydrates

Serves as identification tags and markers for cellular recognition.

Proteins

Have functions such as transport, channel, cell recognition, enzymatic reactions, and receptor signaling.

Cytoskeleton

Provides structure and support to the cell.

Cell Wall

Rigid layer that protects, supports, and gives shape to the cell.

Cytosol

The liquid component of the cytoplasm.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

The blueprint made up of proteins coded in chromosomes.

Chromatin

Components inside the chromosome that condense to form chromosomes.

Chromosome

Tightly coiled structures formed from chromatin.

Nuclear Envelope

Encloses the nucleus and helps access the DNA.

Nuclear Pores

Filled with Nuclear Pores to help with transportation.

Nucleolus

A small region where small organelles (ribosomes) assemble.

Ribosomes

Organelles essential for making proteins.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Facilitates the manufacture of the essential products of your body.

Rough ER

Appears dotted due to the presence of ribosomes.

Smooth ER

Not studded by ribosomes and may have special functions such as detoxification of drugs and alcohol.

Golgi Apparatus

Processes, sorts, and delivers proteins.

Vacuole

Storage area of the cell, primarily responsible for storing substances and helping maintain the cell's shape.

Vesicle

Small membrane-bound sac that transports, stores, or digests substances within the cell.

Mitochondria

Known as the 'powerhouse of the cell', converting food molecules into usable energy.

ATP

Adenosine Triphosphate - the main energy currency of the cell.

Mitochondrial Eve

The most recent common maternal ancestor of all humans lived ~200,000 years ago in Africa.

Plastids

A diverse group of double-membrane-bound organelles.

Chloroplasts

A type of plastid found in plant cells that helps convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis.

Thylakoids

Flattened sacs containing chlorophyll, the pigment that gives plants their green color.

Grana

Stacks of thylakoids.

Stroma

The fluid portion of the chloroplast where the Calvin cycle occurs.

Chlorophyll

A green pigment that absorbs light for photosynthesis.

Centrosome

A small dense region near the nucleus where microtubules are organized and assembled.

Centrioles

Cylinder-shaped structures made of microtubules that help organize microtubules during cell division.

Cilia

Hair-like structures, short in length, usually in unicellular organisms.

Flagella

Looks like a whip or tail.

Large Central Vacuole

Stores water, nutrients, and waste; helps maintain turgor pressure.

Cell Membrane

Selective barrier.

Peroxisomes

Break down fatty acids + detox.

Vesicles

Transport within cell.

Lysosomes

Contain digestive enzymes for breaking down waste and old organelles (plants have them rarely and less prominent).

Small Vacuoles

Multiple smaller vacuoles for temporary storage.

Muscle Cells

Responsible for movement and contraction.

Skeletal muscle cells

Attach to bones; enable voluntary movement.

Smooth muscle cells

Found in the digestive system; involuntary movement.

Cardiac muscle cells

Found in the heart; involuntary movement.

Nerve Cells

Transmission of electrical signals; control body functions through the nervous system.

Red Blood Cells (RBCs)

Carry oxygen and nutrients.

White Blood Cells (WBCs)

Fight infection.

Platelets

Help in blood clotting.

Epithelial Cells

Absorb, secrete, and form protective layers; line organs.

Bone Cells

Provide structure and protection; form hard bones.

Osteoblasts

Bone-forming cells.

Fat Cells

Store energy, provide insulation.

Stem Cells

Undifferentiated cells that can develop into other cell types.

Reproductive Cells

Enable reproduction.

Sperm (spermatocytes)

Contain genetic information for reproduction.

Egg cells (ova)

Contain genetic material from the female.

Cartilage Cells

Provide support and flexibility.

Immune Cells

Defend against pathogens (infections).