Cell Biology and Microscopy Lecture Notes

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers cell history, microscopy types, distinguishing features of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, bacterial classification, endosymbiotic theory, and specific organelle functions based on lecture notes.

Robert Hooke

Scientist who coined the term "cell" and authored Micrographia (1664).

Cell Theory

The principle stating: 1. All living organisms are made of one or more cells; 2. Chemical reactions necessary for life take place within cells; 3. All cells arise from pre-existing cells; 4. Cells contain hereditary information in the form of DNA.

Dissecting microscope

A scope utilizing transmitted and reflected light with two lenses for 3D images; used for larger samples (like ants) with lower magnification and greater resolution.

Compound microscope

A scope utilizing transmitted light only with a single objective for 2D images; used for fixed samples (slides) at higher magnification but lower resolution.

Micrometer ($\mu m$)

A unit of measurement equivalent to $10^{-3}\,mm$ or $10^{-6}\,m$.

Nanometer ($nm$)

A unit of measurement equivalent to $10^{-3}\,\mu m$ or $10^{-9}\,m$.

Prokaryote

Derived from Greek for "before nut or kernel," these single-celled organisms lack a nucleus and organelles, typically possessing circular chromosomes.

Eukaryote

Derived from Greek for "good/true nut or kernel," these organisms contain a nucleus, linear chromosomes, and membrane-bound organelles.

Nucleoid

The region in a prokaryotic cell where DNA is concentrated.

Capsule

A jellylike outer coating found on some prokaryotic cells used for protection and adherence.

Pili

Bridge-like structures in prokaryotes used to transfer information.

Flagella

Tail-like appendages used for locomotion.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic blue-green bacteria that play a huge environmental role in $O_2$ production and are considered the progenitor of plant chloroplasts.

Coccus

A bacterial morphotype characterized by a circle shape.

Bacillus

A bacterial morphotype characterized by a rod shape.

Spirillum

A bacterial morphotype characterized by a spiral shape.

Gram-positive bacteria

Bacteria with a very thick cell wall made of peptidoglycan and no outer membrane.

Gram-negative bacteria

Bacteria with a thin cell wall made of peptidoglycan and an outer membrane.

Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT)

A procedure where fecal matter from a donor is placed in a patient to replace good bacteria, specifically used to treat Clostridium difficile (C. diff.).

Archaea

A domain of prokaryotes including extremophiles (halophiles, thermophiles, etc.) that play roles in C, N, and S cycles and contain no known human pathogens.

Endosymbiosis

The theory (credited to Lynn Margulis) that anaerobic prokaryotes ingested aerobic types (evolving into mitochondria) and photosynthetic types (evolving into chloroplasts) to form a symbiotic relationship.

Nitroplast

A recently discovered organelle in marine algae that can turn nitrogen gas into a useful form for cell growth.

Protists

A group of eukaryotes defined as eukaryotes that are not plants, fungi, or animals.

Elysia chlorotica

A sea slug ("Planimal") that captures organelles and genes from algae to produce energy via photosynthesis.

Plasmodesmata

Channels and communication structures found in plant cell walls.

LUCA

Acronym for Last Universal Common Ancestor, representing the point from which Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryota evolved.