Introduction to Cell Biology and Histology

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering key terms and concepts regarding cell organelles, cellular processes, and the four primary tissue types (epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous) from the lecture transcript.

Eukaryote

A type of cell containing a true nucleus ("true nut"); human cells belong to this category.

Prokaryote

A type of cell that lacks a nucleus ("before the nut").

Organelles

Microscopic, organ-like structures stuffed inside a cell that perform tiny versions of cellular functions.

Phospholipid

A cellular membrane lipid with a hydrophilic phosphate head and hydrophobic lipid tails (one straight, one kinked) that forms an oil membrane.

Aquaporin

A protein-like straw or channel stuffed into the cellular membrane to allow limited transport of water across the lipid bilayer.

Mitochondria

Unique double-membraned organelles derived from ancestral bacteria (and inherited maternally) that generate up to 40 ATP molecules per molecule of sugar.

Cytoskeleton

The structural protein network of the cell along which transport proteins walk to move vesicles to their destinations.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

An organelle behind the nucleus consisting of amorphous tubes where nutrients are stored and fatty acids are synthesized.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

An organelle studded with ribosomes that translates genetic code into proteins and packages them into peroxisomes.

Peroxisomes

Organelles originating from the endoplasmic reticulum that destroy peroxides and oxides, converting dangerous hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) into water ($H_2O$) and oxygen ($O_2$).

Mitosis

A cellular division process taking roughly 18 hours where a parent cell splits into two identical daughter cells.

Meiosis

A cellular division process that produces four unique haploid gamete cells (sperm or eggs) containing half the genetic information of the parent cell.

Simple Squamous Epithelium

A thin layer of flat, egg-shaped cells that provides a leaky, unselective barrier allowing rapid gas and nutrient exchange in the lungs and blood vessels.

Cuboidal Epithelium

Cube-shaped cells featuring a large central nucleus that provide selective covering and secretion within glands.

Columnar Epithelium

Tall, column-like cells with squished nuclei pushed to one edge that form a highly selective barrier, as found in the digestive tract.

Keratinized Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Layered squamous tissue where outer cells are killed by keratin, creating a tough, hydrophobic, dead outer layer found in skin.

Nonkeratinized Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Layered squamous tissue maintaining living cells all the way to the surface, providing sensitive abrasion protection in areas like the oral cavity and vaginal canal.

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

A single layer of columnar cells that appears stratified due to staggered nucleus placement; contains goblet cells.

Goblet Cells

Cup-shaped cells embedded within pseudostratified tissue that store mucin, which combines with water to secrete a protective mucus layer.

Transitional Epithelium

Specialized stratified epithelium that changes shape from a resting cuboidal/gumdrop shape to a stretched, flattened squamous shape as the bladder fills.

Proper Connective Tissue

The original class of connective tissues (divided into loose and dense) that functions directly in holding body structures together.

Reticular Connective Tissue

A loose connective tissue featuring reticulin fibers holding loose white blood cells (leukocytes) to screen for infection in the spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow.

Areolar Connective Tissue

A loose connective tissue composed of fibrin, collagen, and elastin fibers with dispersed cells that acts as an all-purpose connective 'duct tape' throughout the body.

Adipose Tissue

A loose connective tissue consisting of adipocytes filled with fatty acid vacuoles; provides insulation, cushioning, and nutrient storage.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

A dense tissue packed with tightly condensed, rapid wavy collagen fibers and flattened nuclei, granting high tensile strength to tendons and ligaments.

Dense Irregular Connective Tissue

A dense connective tissue with multidirectional collagen fiber flow found in the reticular dermis, allowing skin to move and twist.

Elastic Connective Tissue

A dense tissue rich in elastin proteins surrounding smooth muscle in large arteries like the aorta, allowing expansion and recoil.

Hyaline Cartilage

The baseline rigid cartilage containing dormant chondrocytes trapped within lacunae cavities surrounded by cartilage matrix.

Lacunae

Small cavity spaces trapped inside cartilage or bone matrix housing chondrocytes or osteocytes.

Fibrocartilage

Cartilage interspersed with fibrin fibers to provide slight flexion, located in the intervertebral discs and the pubic symphysis.

Elastic Cartilage

Highly flexible cartilage infused with elastin fibers, forming structure in places like the external ear.

Haversian System

The primary structural tube unit (osteon) of compact bone made up of concentric lamellae layers around central blood vessels and nerves.

Canaliculi

Tiny crack-like channels running between ossified bone lamellae that permit cellular communication.

Spongy Bone

Porous bone tissue containing gaps filled with red bone marrow responsible for producing blood cells.

Red Bone Marrow

Tissue housed within spongy bone that produces all red and white blood cells.

Skeletal Muscle

Voluntary, striated, multinucleated muscle tissue made of cylindrical cells up to 3 inches long attached to bones or other muscles.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary, striated muscle tissue found in the heart featuring cells that split/branch up to 5 times and contain 1 to 2 nuclei.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary, non-striated muscle tissue made of single-nucleated, spindle-shaped cells that stack together in hollow organs and tubes.

Soma

The cell body of a neuron housing the nucleus.

Axon

A single long protrusion extending from a neuron soma (up to 3 feet long) that conducts nerve impulses.