Introduction to Plant and Animal Cells

These flashcards cover the key vocabulary terms and definitions related to plant and animal cells, as identified from the lecture notes.

Eukaryotes

Cells that contain a nucleus and organelles, including plant and animal cells.

Cell wall

A stiff structure composed mainly of cellulose in plant cells, providing protection and support.

Cellulose

A carbohydrate that provides strength to plant cell walls.

Vacuole

An organelle that stores various substances; larger and more prominent in plant cells.

Turgor pressure

The pressure exerted by water inside the vacuole against the cell wall.

Chloroplast

An organelle in plant cells that captures sunlight for photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants synthesize sugars using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water.

Ribosomes

Molecular machines that link amino acids to form proteins, not membrane-bound.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)

An organelle that forms a network of membranes and is involved in protein and lipid synthesis.

Golgi apparatus

An organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for secretion.

Surface area to volume ratio

A key principle indicating that structures with larger surface areas relative to their volume are more efficient.

Alpha-glycosidic linkage

A type of carbohydrate bond that is relatively easy to break apart.

Beta-glycosidic linkage

A type of carbohydrate bond that is strong and stable, found in cellulose.

Organelles

Specialized structures within a cell that perform distinct functions.

Mitochondria

Organelles known as the powerhouses of the cell, generating energy through cellular respiration.

Cytoskeletal elements

Protein fibers that provide structural support and shape to the cell.

Microscopy

Techniques used to visualize small structures that are not visible to the naked eye.

Nanometer (nm)

One-billionth of a meter, used to measure very small objects like ribosomes.

Micrometer (μm)

One-millionth of a meter, used to measure cells and cellular components.

Gene encoding

The process by which genes contain the information to synthesize proteins and enzymes.

Diffusion

The movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.