Plant and Animal Cell Types & Tissues

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering major plant and animal cell types, tissues, and their functions.

Plant Cell

Multicellular, eukaryotic cell containing specialized organelles and capable of photosynthesis using CO₂, water, and sunlight.

Dermal Tissue

Outer protective plant tissue, primarily the epidermis; limits water loss.

Ground Tissue

Plant tissue that is neither dermal nor vascular; functions in storage, support, and photosynthesis.

Vascular Tissue

Transport system of plants composed of xylem and phloem.

Epidermal Cells

Cells forming the plant’s outer epidermis layer.

Pavement Cells

Flat epidermal cells that act as a barrier against pathogens and toxins.

Stomatal Guard Cells

Paired epidermal cells that open and close stomata to regulate gas exchange.

Trichomes

Hair-like epidermal outgrowths that provide protection.

Parenchyma Cells

Living plant cells involved in photosynthesis, storage, and secretion.

Palisade Parenchyma

Columnar parenchyma in leaf mesophyll specialized for capturing sunlight.

Ray Parenchyma

Parenchyma in stems and roots that mediates lateral transport.

Collenchyma Cells

Living cells with unevenly thickened walls that support growing plant parts.

Angular Collenchyma

Collenchyma with wall thickening at the cell corners.

Lamellar Collenchyma

Collenchyma with thick walls arranged in parallel rows, common in petioles.

Lacunar Collenchyma

Collenchyma containing intercellular spaces surrounded by thickened walls.

Annular Collenchyma

Collenchyma with uniformly thickened, circular walls.

Sclerenchyma Cells

Dead, lignified cells providing rigid support.

Fibers (Sclerenchyma)

Elongated sclerenchyma cells that give tensile strength.

Sclereids

Variable-shaped sclerenchyma cells that add hardness (e.g., seed coats).

Xylem Cells

Water-conducting tissue composed mainly of tracheids and vessel elements.

Tracheids

Long, thin, lignified xylem cells that conduct water and provide support.

Vessel Elements

Short, wide xylem cells that join end-to-end to form water-conducting tubes.

Phloem Cells

Living tissue that transports sugars and other food substances.

Sieve Tube Elements

Main conducting cells of phloem that lack a nucleus at maturity.

Companion Cells

Metabolically active phloem cells that support sieve tube elements.

Sieve Cells

Primitive phloem conducting cells found in gymnosperms.

Meristematic Cells

Undifferentiated plant cells capable of continuous division for growth.

Apical Meristem

Meristem at root and shoot tips responsible for lengthwise growth.

Lateral Meristem

Meristem that increases plant thickness (secondary growth).

Intercalary Meristem

Meristem at nodes or leaf bases allowing leaf or internode elongation.

Keratinocytes

Primary epidermal skin cells that produce keratin and form a protective barrier.

Melanocytes

Skin cells that synthesize the pigment melanin.

Langerhans Cells

Dendritic immune cells in the epidermis providing immune surveillance.

Merkel Cells

Specialized skin cells that detect touch and pressure.

Cardiac Muscle Cells

Striated, branched myocytes with intercalated discs that drive rhythmic heart contractions.

Skeletal Muscle Cells

Long, multinucleated, striated cells responsible for voluntary movements.

Smooth Muscle Cells

Spindle-shaped, non-striated cells that control involuntary movements and provide elasticity.

Red Blood Cells (RBCs)

Enucleated, biconcave cells that transport oxygen via hemoglobin.

White Blood Cells (WBCs)

Diverse immune cells that defend the body against pathogens.

Lymphocytes

WBCs that mediate adaptive immunity and antibody production.

Monocytes

Large WBCs that differentiate into macrophages for phagocytosis.

Eosinophils

WBCs that combat parasites and participate in allergic responses.

Neutrophils

Abundant WBCs that rapidly phagocytose bacteria.

Basophils

WBCs that release histamine during inflammatory and allergic reactions.

Platelets

Anucleate cell fragments essential for blood clotting.

Neurons

Excitable cells that transmit nerve impulses via dendrites, axon, and myelin sheath.

Bipolar Neuron

Neuron with one axon and one dendrite, found in the eye and nose.

Pseudounipolar Neuron

Sensory neuron with a single process that splits into peripheral and central branches.

Multipolar Neuron

Neuron with many dendrites and one axon; typical of the brain and spinal cord.

Adipocytes

Fat storage cells that accumulate lipids and release metabolic signals.