Cell Biology Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering organelles, cell types, and stages of cell division discussed in the lecture.

Mitochondria

Membrane-bound organelle that produces ATP through cellular respiration; the cell’s powerhouse.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

Primary energy currency of the cell, generated mainly in mitochondria.

Nucleus

Membrane-bound control center containing DNA; absent in prokaryotes.

Prokaryotic Cell

Simple cell lacking membrane-bound organelles such as nucleus, ER, and mitochondria.

Eukaryotic Cell

Complex cell containing membrane-bound organelles, including a nucleus.

Membrane-Bound Organelle

Structure enclosed by a lipid bilayer (e.g., nucleus, mitochondria); present in eukaryotes only.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (Rough ER)

ER studded with ribosomes; synthesizes and stores proteins.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (Smooth ER)

ER without ribosomes; synthesizes and stores lipids and steroids.

Ribosome

Molecular machine that assembles proteins; attached to rough ER or free in cytoplasm.

Chromosome

Condensed DNA–protein structure carrying genetic information; visible during cell division.

Spindle Fibers

Microtubules that attach to chromosomes and pull them apart during mitosis/meiosis.

Prophase

First mitotic stage: nuclear envelope breaks down and spindle begins to form.

Metaphase

Mitotic stage where chromosomes align at the cell’s equatorial (metaphase) plate.

Anaphase

Mitotic stage where sister chromatids separate to opposite poles.

Telophase

Mitotic stage where chromosomes decondense and nuclear envelopes re-form.

Cytokinesis

Division of the cytoplasm following mitosis or meiosis, producing separate cells.

Mitosis

Single round of division in somatic cells producing two identical diploid daughter cells.

Meiosis

Two rounds of division in germ cells producing four genetically diverse haploid gametes.

Diploid

Cell with two complete sets of chromosomes (2n); typical of somatic cells.

Haploid

Cell with one set of chromosomes (n); characteristic of gametes.

Somatic Cell

Body cell that undergoes mitosis for growth or repair; remains diploid.

Germ Cell

Reproductive cell that undergoes meiosis to form haploid gametes.

Cell Plate

Structure forming during plant cytokinesis that develops into the new cell wall.

Cleavage Furrow

Constriction that pinches animal cells during cytokinesis.

Cell Wall

Rigid outer layer of plant cells providing structural support; arises from the cell plate.