Biology Lecture Notes on Cells and Classifications

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key biological concepts related to cells, genetics, and ecology.

Cell

The smallest living functional and structural unit of all living things.

Nucleus

Contains genetic information (DNA) and controls cell activities.

Plasma Membrane

A semipermeable membrane that separates the cell contents from the surrounding fluid.

Cytoplasm

The fluid matrix found between the plasma membrane and the nucleus, acting as scaffolding for organelles.

Mitochondria

The site of cellular respiration, converting food to energy and producing ATP.

Ribosomes

The sites of protein synthesis in the cell, either floating freely or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

A network of channels within the cell that transports materials; rough ER has ribosomes, smooth ER does not.

Golgi Complex

Modifies and packages proteins for use within the cell or for export.

Lysosomes

Sacs containing strong digestive enzymes for breaking down waste and malfunctioning cell structures.

Photosynthesis

The process by which autotrophs produce their own organic molecules from inorganic ones, using light energy.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that produces gametes, resulting in four daughter cells with half the normal number of chromosomes.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells, used for growth and repair.

Isotonic Solution

A solution where the concentration of solutes is the same inside and outside the cell.

Osmosis

The movement of water from an area of high-water concentration to an area of low-water concentration across a semipermeable membrane.

Natural Selection

The process by which individuals that are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce.

Taxonomy

The scientific study of classification of organisms into groups based on similarities and differences.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food from inorganic substances.

Decomposers

Organisms like bacteria and fungi that consume nonliving organic material and recycle nutrients in an ecosystem.

Biotic Factors

The living parts of an ecosystem.

Abiotic Factors

The nonliving environmental influences, such as temperature and soil composition.

Gene

A set of instructions located on chromosomes that determines the characteristics of an organism.

Dominant Trait

A trait that is expressed when two contrasting traits are crossed, masking the recessive trait.

Homozygous

An individual with two identical alleles for a trait.

Punnett Square

A diagram used to predict the genotypes of a particular cross or breeding experiment.