Introduction to Cell Biology

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts in cell biology from the lecture notes.

Cell Biology

The study of cell structure, functions, and behavior.

Cell

The basic unit of life.

Unicellular

Organisms made up of a single cell.

Multicellular

Organisms made up of multiple cells.

Taxonomy

The classification of organisms.

Prokaryotic Cell

A type of cell that lacks a membrane-bound nucleus.

Eukaryotic Cell

A type of cell that has a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles.

Phylogenetic Tree

A visualization to trace common ancestry.

Binary Fission

A form of asexual reproduction where one cell splits into two.

Antimicrobial Compounds

Substances that kill microbes and are used to combat bacterial growth.

Lysosomes

A vesicle that digests food and contains digestive enzymes.

Cytoplasm

The space inside prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, mostly composed of cytosol.

Endosymbiotic Theory

The theory that explains the origin of eukaryotic cells, stating that an archaeal cell engulfed a bacterial cell, creating the first eukaryotic cell.

Redox Reactions

Chemical reactions that involve the transfer of electrons, oxidation (loss of electrons) and reduction (gain of electrons).

Organic Molecules

Molecules that contain carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds.

Nucleic Acids

Macromolecules that store and express genetic information.

Amino Acids

Building blocks of proteins that fold into specific structures determining their function.

Triglycerides

A type of lipid that stores energy in the form of fat.

Chloroplast

An organelle that converts sunlight into food, found in photosynthetic cells.

Mitochondria

Organelle that turns food into energy, found in all eukaryotic cells.

Plasma Membrane

A protective barrier that separates internal and external environments of a cell.