Cell Biology: Structural Anatomy, Function, and Cell Division

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering cell structure, cellular organelles, mitosis, plant adaptations, and meiosis based on Chapter 2 Cell Biology lecture material.

Cell Membrane

A selectively permeable phospholipid bilayer that controls entry and exit to maintain internal balance (homeostasis).

Prokaryotic Domain

Organisms characterized by a simple, small cellular design where DNA floats freely in the cytoplasm and membrane-bound organelles are lacking (e.g., Bacteria).

Eukaryotic Domain

Organisms with larger, complex cellular architecture featuring a distinct membrane-bound nucleus and specialized functional zones or organelles (e.g., Plants, Animals, Fungi).

Nucleus

The control center of the cell that houses genetic material (DNA) and coordinates growth, protein synthesis, and reproduction.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

An organelle in the manufacturing hub that is studded with ribosomes and functions to fold and modify proteins.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

An organelle in the manufacturing hub that lacks ribosomes and synthesizes lipids as well as detoxifies.

Ribosomes

Tiny structures that synthesize proteins.

Golgi Apparatus

The cellular 'post office' that modifies, packages into vesicles, and ships products.

Mitochondria

The 'powerhouse' of the cell that generates ATP (chemical energy) via cellular respiration.

Lysosomes

Waste disposal sacs filled with digestive enzymes to break down debris.

Chloroplasts

Plant organelles that serve as the site of photosynthesis, capturing sunlight to convert water and $CO_2$ into glucose.

Cell Wall

A rigid outer layer outside the cell membrane in plants that provides structural support and protection.

Large Central Vacuole

A massive sac in plant cells that stores water, nutrients, and waste, and maintains turgor pressure to keep the plant rigid.

Centromere

The structure that attaches identical sister chromatids together at the center of the chromosome.

Centrioles

Organelles situated at the cell poles that emit spindle fibers (microtubules) to physically drag chromosomes apart during cell division.

M Phase

The cell division phase consisting of two primary physical events: Mitosis (division of the nucleus) and Cytokinesis (division of the cytoplasm).

Interphase

The preparation phase (comprising G1, S, and G2) during which the cell grows and DNA is replicated into identical sister chromatids.

Prophase

The first phase of mitosis where chromatin condenses, the nuclear membrane disappears, and spindle fibers fan out.

Metaphase

The phase of mitosis where spindle fibers align chromosomes exactly along the cell equator.

Anaphase

The phase of mitosis where spindle fibers shorten, separating sister chromatids and dragging them to opposite poles.

Telophase

The final stage of nuclear division where new nuclear membranes reform around chromosomes as they uncoil back into chromatin.

Cell Plate

A structure that assembles along the equator in plant cells during cytokinesis and grows outward to form new walls separating the two daughter cells.

Somatic Cells

Regular body cells that divide via mitosis to produce identical clones for tissue growth and repair.

Meiosis

A specialized reduction division occurring in sex organs that begins with a diploid cell and yields four genetically unique haploid gametes.

Gametes

Specialized sex cells (sperm cells in males, egg cells in females) produced by meiosis containing half the original chromosome count.

Diploid Cell

A cell containing two complete sets of chromosomes.

Haploid Cell

A cell containing only one set of chromosomes.

Synapsis

The process during Prophase I of meiosis where homologous chromosomes pair up to form a tetrad.

Crossing Over

The genetic recombination process during Prophase I where chromatids exchange segments of alleles to ensure gamete uniqueness.

Meiosis I

The first division stage of meiosis where homologous chromosome pairs line up and are pulled apart, resulting in two haploid cells.

Meiosis II

The second division stage of meiosis where sister chromatids separate without further DNA replication, producing four unique haploid gametes.