Cell Biology: Cell Structures, Specialised Cells, and Classification

Vocabulary flashcards covering biological drawing standards, organelles, specialised animal and plant cells, and the distinction between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Biological Drawings

Scientific diagrams that must be drawn in pencil (not sketchy) and feature straight label lines.

Nucleus

A cellular structure that controls the cell's activities and contains the DNA.

Cytoplasm

A jelly-like substance inside the cell that serves as the site of most chemical reactions.

Cell Membrane

A cellular structure that controls what substances enter and leave the cell.

Mitochondria

The site of aerobic respiration inside the cell that provides energy.

Nerve Cell

A long specialised cell with branches that connect to other cells to control and coordinate actions via the CNS and PNS.

Red Blood Cell

A specialised cell that carries oxygen around the body and lacks a nucleus to provide more space.

Sperm Cell

A specialised cell containing a $\frac{1}{2}$ set of DNA and flagella to help it swim to fertilize an egg cell.

Palisade Cell

A specialised leaf cell that performs photosynthesis and contains lots of chloroplasts to absorb light and make food.

Root Hair Cell

A specialised cell found on plant roots that has a thin extension to increase surface area to absorb more water and minerals from the soil.

Prokaryotic Cells

Smaller cells such as bacteria and archaea that lack a nucleus, possess a single loop of DNA, and may contain plasmids and flagella.

Eukaryotic Cells

Larger cells found in animals, fungi, and plants that contain a nucleus, mitochondria, and strands of linear DNA without plasmids.

Plasmid

An extra loop of DNA found in prokaryotic cells that is absent in eukaryotic cells.

Chloroplasts

Plant cell organelles that absorb light to make food during photosynthesis.