Cytology I - Cell Differentiation, Nucleus, and Cell Division

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts about cell biology, including topics like cell theory, types of cells, differentiation, the structure and function of the nucleus, and processes of cell division such as mitosis and meiosis.

Cell

Basic structural and functional unit of any living thing.

Cell Theory

All living things are made of one or more cells; all cells come from existing cells; cells are the basic building blocks of life.

Prokaryotic Cells

Unicellular organisms that have no nucleus or organelles and are characterized by a cell wall and capsule.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that contain a nucleus and organelles; can be unicellular or multicellular.

Cell Differentiation

The process by which cells become specialized and may have different structures and functions.

Nucleus

The membrane-bound organelle that serves as the information processing and administrative center of a eukaryotic cell.

Nuclear Envelope

A selectively permeable barrier formed by two membranes that separates nucleoplasm from cytoplasm.

Nucleolus

A dense region within the nucleus involved in ribosome production and the transcription of rRNA.

Chromatin

A complex of DNA and proteins found in the nucleus; can be in the form of euchromatin (active) or heterochromatin (inactive).

Mitosis

The process of cell division where a parent cell divides into two identical daughter cells.

Meiosis

A specialized form of cell division that results in four haploid cells from one diploid cell, creating genetic diversity.

Euchromatin

Transcriptionally active form of chromatin that appears light under a microscope.

Heterochromatin

Transcriptionally inactive form of chromatin that appears dense under a microscope.

Stem Cells

Undifferentiated cells that have the potential to differentiate into various cell types and renew themselves.

Progenitor Cells

Intermediate cells that are partially differentiated and can divide to increase their numbers.

Cytokinesis

The process that follows mitosis, resulting in the physical separation of the cytoplasm of a parental cell into two daughter cells.

Zygote

The diploid cell resulting from the fusion of an egg and sperm, which can develop into a new organism.

Karyotype

The number and visual appearance of the chromosomes in the cell nuclei of an organism.

Gene Recombination

The process by which genetic material is physically mixed during meiosis, leading to genetic variability in gametes.