Biology 1: Cells and Movement in & out

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering life processes, cell organelles (animal, plant, bacterial, and viral), specialized cells, and mechanisms of transport across membranes.

Movement

Action by an organism or part of organism causing change in position or place.

Respiration

Chemical reaction breaking down nutrient molecule to release energy for metabolism; distinct from breathing.

Sensitivity

Detecting any stimuli in the internal or external environment and responding to it.

Growth

Permanent increase in dry mass by an increase of number or size of cells or both.

Reproduction

Producing new offspring (copies) of the same species.

Excretion

The removal of metabolic waste products, toxic substances and substances in excess of requirements.

Nutrition

Intake of food for energy, growth and development.

Nucleus

Organelle that controls the cell’s activity and stores the DNA material / Genetic Material.

Cell membrane

A partially permeable (selectively) membrane that controls the substances entering and leaving the cell.

Vacuole (Plant vs. Animal)

In plants, it is large, stores sugars, and provides support; in animals, it is smaller and stores water and sugars.

Cytoplasm

Jelly like structure that acts as a solvent and the site of all chemical reactions except aerobic respiration.

Mitochondria

The site of aerobic respiration where oxygen is used to release energy/ATP from glucose.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

The cell structure where ribosomes are attached.

Ribosomes

Tiny dots found in all cell types (bacteria, animals, and plants) that serve as the site of protein synthesis.

Cell wall (Plant)

Made of cellulose, it stops the cell from bursting and provides mechanical support.

Chloroplast

Contains the green pigment chlorophyll which traps light energy to produce glucose via photosynthesis.

Sap vacuole

A plant cell structure containing cell sap, pigments and excess water.

Bacterial Cell Wall

A structure made of peptidoglycan (Murien).

Bacterial DNA

Circular DNA not contained within a nucleus.

Plasmids

Small DNA molecules found within bacterial cells.

Virus Structure

Non-living organism containing only DNA or RNA (never both) covered by a protein coat or capsomere.

Ciliated Cell

Contains short hair like projections called Cilia that sweep mucus to the throat in a one-way motion.

Goblet cells

Cells that produce mucus which traps dust particles and pathogens.

Red Blood Cells

Cells with a biconcave disc shape and no nucleus, containing iron-rich heamoglobin to carry $O_2$.

Sperm cell

A haploid male gamete containing $23$ chromosomes, an acrosome for breaking the egg coat, and a flagella for movement.

Acrosome

A group of enzymes in the head of the sperm that breaks down the egg coat to allow fusion with the nucleus.

Root Hair cell

A cell with a finger like projection that increases surface area for the absorption of water (osmosis) and ions (active transport).

Magnification Formula

$$\text{Magnification} = \frac{\text{Image Size}}{\text{Actual Size}}$$

Egg cell

A large, non-motile haploid female gamete produced by the ovary, surrounded by a jelly coat that hardens after fertilization.

Diffusion

The net movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration down its concentration gradient (passive process).

Factors affecting Diffusion Rate

Temperature, concentration gradient, surface area to volume ratio, diffusion distance (membrane thickness), and size of molecules.

Osmosis

Movement of water molecules from an area of higher water potential to an area of lower water potential through a partially permeable membrane.

Plasmolysed

A state in plant cells where the cell membrane pulls away from the cell wall due to being in a solution with lower water potential.

Active transport

The movement of molecules from an area of low concentration to high concentration against a concentration gradient using energy and carrier proteins.