Cells and Tissues Reviewer - Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cells and Cell Membrane

Vocabulary flashcards covering prokaryotic versus eukaryotic cell features, protist classifications, and cell/plasma membrane structure and function.

Prokaryotic Cells

Unicellular organisms, such as bacteria, that lack a nuclear membrane, have circular DNA only ("plasmids"), have few or no organelles, perform RNA and protein synthesis in the same compartment, and divide via binary fission.

Eukaryotic Cells

Organisms (animals, plants, protists, fungi) that possess a nuclear membrane, organelles (such as nucleus, mitochondria, ER), circular and linear DNA, separate compartments for RNA and protein synthesis, and divide via mitosis and meiosis.

Plasmid

Circular genetic material of bacteria.

Protists

Eukaryotic, mostly unicellular organisms that are not animals, plants, or fungi; categorized into animal-like (protozoa), plant-like (algae), and fungus-like (molds).

Protozoa

Animal-like protists.

Algae

Plant-like protists.

Molds

Fungus-like protists.

Binary Fission

The method of cell division used by prokaryotic cells.

Mitosis and Meiosis

The methods of cell division used by eukaryotic cells.

Cell/Plasma Membrane

A lipid bilayer that gives shape to the cell, separates it from its environment, and acts as a recognition site/barrier; permeable to small, nonpolar, uncharged molecules (e.g., O2, amino acids) and impermeable to glucose.