General Biology I – Cell Theory, Cell Parts, Cell Cycle & Mitosis (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering cell theory, cell structure, cell cycle phases, mitosis stages, ploidy, and related concepts from the video notes.

Cell theory

All living things are made of cells; cells are the smallest unit of life; new cells come from pre-existing cells.

Cell

The basic unit of life; the building block of all organisms.

Robert Hooke

Scientist who first described 'cells' in cork (1665) and coined the term.

Anton van Leeuwenhoek

Scientist who observed microorganisms ('animalcules') in pond water (1673).

Matthias Schleiden

Scientist who stated that all plants are made of cells (1838).

Theodor Schwann

Scientist who stated that all animals are made of cells (1839).

Rudolf Virchow

Scientist who proposed that new cells come from existing cells (1858).

Cell membrane

Membrane that controls what enters and leaves the cell.

Cell wall

Rigid layer in plants/fungi that provides support; made of cellulose or chitin.

Cytoplasm

Jelly-like interior of the cell where organelles float.

Cytoskeleton

Protein network that maintains cell shape and enables movement.

Nucleus

Control center of the cell that houses DNA.

Nucleolus

Structure within the nucleus that makes ribosomes.

Ribosome

Organelle that synthesizes proteins.

Rough endoplasmic reticulum (Rough ER)

ER with ribosomes on its surface; synthesizes proteins.

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (Smooth ER)

ER that synthesizes lipids and carbohydrates.

Golgi apparatus

Organelle that packages and ships proteins.

Lysosome

Organelle that digests waste and cellular debris.

Vacuole

Organelle that stores water, food, and wastes.

Peroxisome

Organelle that detoxifies harmful substances.

Mitochondrion

Powerhouse of the cell; produces ATP.

Chloroplast

Plant organelle where photosynthesis occurs.

Photosynthesis

Process by which chloroplasts convert light energy to chemical energy (sugar) using CO2 and water.

G1 phase

Cell growth and organelle production phase.

S phase

DNA replication occurs during this phase.

G2 phase

Cell prepares for division; final checks and repairs.

M phase (mitosis)

Nuclear division that results in two daughter nuclei.

Cytokinesis

Division of the cytoplasm, producing two separate cells.

Cell plate

In plants, vesicles coalesce to form a separating cell plate during cytokinesis.

Cleavage furrow

In animals, contractile ring forms a cleavage furrow to divide the cell.

Daughter cells

Two cells produced by cell division that are typically identical to the parent.

Diploid (2n)

Having two sets of chromosomes; typically identical to parent cells.

Haploid (n)

Having one set of chromosomes.

Ploidy

Number of chromosome sets in a cell (haploid or diploid).

Oncogenes

Genes that can cause uncontrolled cell division when mutated or overexpressed, contributing to cancer.

Mitosis

Nuclear division producing two genetically identical diploid daughter cells.