Cell Biology and Cytology Lecture Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering cellular biology terminology, organelles, discoveries, and characteristics from the provided lecture notes.

Cytology

The study of the cell.

Robert Hooke

Discovered dead cells in $1665$ after observing a honeycomb-like structure in cork from the Mediterranean region.

Antony van Leeuwenhoek

Father of Microbiology who discovered the first living cell in $1674$ by observing the algae Spirogyra under a microscope.

Matthias Schleiden & Theodor Schwann

Formulated the cell theory, stating that all organisms are composed of one or more cells and that the cell is the smallest functional and structural unit of life.

Rudolf Virchow

Modified the cell theory with the statement 'Omnis Cellula e Cellula', meaning all cells come exclusively from pre-existing cells.

Virus

An exception to the cell theory and the connecting link between living and non-living; non-living outside the body and living inside the body.

Centriole / Centrosome

Founded by T. Bobri, found in animal cells, and takes part in cell division.

Tonoplast

The membrane covering a vacuole, which contains cell sap, water, and minerals.

Robert Brown

The scientist who discovered the nucleus.

Endocytosis

Movement of material into the cell, which includes phagocytosis and pinocytosis.

Exocytosis

Movement of material outside of the cell.

Leucoplast

A colourless plastid that stores food, such as starch (amyloplast).

Lysosome

Known as the 'suicidal bag of cell' or 'atom bomb of cell'; contains hydrolytic enzymes and removes dead cells from the body.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (E.R)

Known as the 'highway of the cell'; assists in the synthesis of protein and in membrane biogenesis.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

A region of endoplasmic reticulum with ribosomes present that functions in protein synthesis.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

A region of endoplasmic reticulum without ribosomes that functions in lipid synthesis and detoxification of the liver.

Golgi Body

Discovered by Camillo Golgi; known as the 'store house' or 'post office' of the cell made of unit cisternae; stores, packages, secretes, and helps in the formation of lysosomes.

Ribosomes

Organelles with no membrane made of RNA and protein, known as the 'protein factory of cell'; manufacture starch molecules and hormones.

Svedberg Unit (S)

The unit represented by 'S' in ribosome sedimentation rates ($70\text{-S}$ in prokaryotic cells/lower organisms and $80\text{-S}$ in eukaryotic cells/higher organisms).

Permeable Membrane

A membrane that allows all substances to pass through it freely.

Semi-permeable Membrane

A membrane that allows only some substances to pass through it; also called a selectively permeable membrane.

Cellulose

A carbohydrate that makes up plant cell walls, gives them strength, and is hard to digest.

Chitin

The carbohydrate component that makes up the cell wall of fungi.

Peptidoglycan

The structural material that makes up the cell wall of bacteria.

Mitochondria

Discovered in $1857$ by Albert von Kolliker; known as the powerhouse or furnace of the cell; contains DNA and ribosomes and acts as a semi-autonomous organelle.

Plastid

A semi-autonomous cell organelle found only in plant cells that contains DNA and ribosomes; includes chloroplast, chromoplast, and leucoplast.

Chloroplast

Known as the 'kitchen of the cell'; contains chlorophyll and serves as the site where photosynthesis takes place.

Chromoplast

A plastid that gives pigments to plants, attracting pollinators and aiding in pollination.

Lycopene

The pigment responsible for giving red color to plants.

Carotene

The pigment responsible for giving orange color to plants.

Capsanthin

The specific pigment present in red chilli.

Caricaxanthin

The specific pigment present in papaya.

Anthocyanin

The specific pigment present in apple.

Xanthophyll

The specific pigment present in onion and turmeric.

Mycoplasma

Also called pleuroneumonia-like organism; identified as the smallest cell.

Eukaryotic Cell

A developed cell ('Eu' = developed, 'karyo' = nucleus) present in higher organisms where the DNA is covered with a nuclear membrane.

Prokaryotic Cell

A cell containing a primary nucleus, found in lower organisms like bacteria.