General Biology Comprehensive Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering cell discovery history, cellular theory postulates, eukaryotic and prokaryotic organelles, animal/plant tissue classifications, specialized cell adaptations, and cell modifications.

Zacharias Janssen

Dutch eyeglass maker who invented the first compound microscope in 1590 (or 1595).

Robert Hooke

English scientist known as the "English Father of Microscopy" who observed cork under a microscope in 1665, published "Micrographia", and coined the word "cell" from the Latin word cellulae, meaning small room.

Anton van Leeuwenhoek

Microscopist known as the "Father of Microscopy" and "Father of Bacteriology and Protozoology" who observed "animalcules" in pond water (1673-1674) and discovered bacteria in 1676.

Lorenz Oken

Scientist who first speculated in 1805 that cells are the fundamental units of life.

Robert Brown

Scottish botanist who discovered and identified the nucleus in plant cells in 1827/1831.

Matthias Schleiden

German botanist who stated in 1838 that all plants and plant organisms are composed of cells.

Theodor Schwann

German physiologist and zoologist who concluded in 1839 that all animals are composed of cells.

Rudolf Virchow

German scientist who proposed the third postulate of Cell Theory in 1855/1858 stating that all cells arise from pre-existing cells ("Omnis cellula e cellula").

Henri Dutrochet

French physiologist (1776–1847) who discovered osmosis and was among the first to recognize the importance of individual cells in plants.

Jan Evangelista Purkyně

Czech anatomist and physiologist who coined the term "protoplasm" in 1839 for the fluid substance of a cell.

Max Johann Sigismund Schultze

German zoologist and cytologist who in 1861 defined the cell as a mass of protoplasm with a nucleus.

Felix Dujardin

French scientist who classified single-celled organisms known as rhizopoda (now known as protozoans).

Francesco Redi

Italian scientist who performed meat jar experiments in 1668 to disprove the theory of spontaneous generation.

Lazzaro Spallanzani

Scientist who experimented with boiled chicken broth in open and sealed flasks to challenge spontaneous generation.

Louis Pasteur

Scientist who disproved spontaneous generation in 1859 using boiled broth in swan-necked flasks.

Cell Membrane

Phospholipid bilayer containing embedded channel/marker/receptor proteins and cholesterol that selectively regulates substances entering and exiting the cell.

Cell Wall

Rigid outer layer surrounding plant cells composed mostly of cellulose that provides protection, support, and structural shape.

Nucleus

Membrane-bound spherical organelle found in eukaryotic cells that stores hereditary DNA and directs cellular growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

Nucleolus

Sub-organelle within the nucleus composed of proteins and RNA whose role is to assemble rRNA codes for protein synthesis.

Nuclear Envelope

Double membrane lipid layer enclosing the nucleus to protect DNA and nucleoplasm.

Nucleoplasm

Gelatinous liquid enclosed inside the nucleus that contains necessary enzymes and nucleotides.

Chromatin

Cellular bundles composed of complex macromolecules of DNA, RNA, and protein inside the nucleus.

Mitochondrion

Known as the "powerhouse of the cell", it serves as the site of cellular respiration and ATP energy production.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Intercellular network of membranous tubules that transports essential materials, nutrients, enzymes, and hormones throughout the cell.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

Membranous network studded with attached ribosomes responsible for producing and modifying proteins.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

Membranous network lacking ribosomes that synthesizes carbohydrates, lipids, and enzymes, and breaks down fats and toxins.

Ribosome

Large cellular complex of RNA and protein subunits that functions as the primary site of protein synthesis.

Golgi Body

Stack of flattened membranous sacs that receives, processes, sorts, packages, and ships proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates.

Lysosome

Organelle found in animal cells containing hydrolytic enzymes that digest macromolecules, waste, and worn-out cellular parts.

Chloroplast

Disc-shaped plant organelle containing chlorophyll pigments that serves as the site of photosynthesis.

Peroxisome

Single-membrane spherical organelle containing enzymes that convert hydrogen peroxide via the equation $H_2O_2 + H_2O_2 \rightarrow H_2O + O_2$.

Vacuole

Membrane-bound organelle used for the temporary storage of water, nutrients, and waste products.

Plastid

Pigment-bearing organelle in plant cells involved in food synthesis and nutrient storage.

Cytoskeleton

Network of protein fibers—microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments—extending through the cytoplasm to maintain shape and provide mechanical support.

Centriole

Structure composed of nine sets of triplet microtubules that plays a crucial role in animal cell division.

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue composed of tightly packed cell sheets covering external body surfaces and lining internal organs and cavities.

Simple Epithelium

An epithelial tissue layer consisting of a single layer of cells.

Stratified Epithelium

An epithelial tissue structure composed of multiple stacked layers of cells.

Pseudostratified Epithelium

Single-layered tissue that appears multi-layered due to varying cell lengths and nucleus positions.

Connective Tissue

Tissue type that functions to protect, support, and bind organs and other body tissues together.

Loose Areolar Connective Tissue

Soft and pliable tissue acting as packing and binding material throughout skin, organs, glands, and blood vessels.

Fibrous Connective Tissue

Tissue with dense collagen fibers forming tendons and ligaments that connect muscles and bones.

Adipose Tissue

Specialized connective tissue that stores fat as food reserves, pads and insulates the body, and protects organs.

Cartilage

Flexible connective tissue made of chondrocytes forming strong skeletal material at the ends of bones, respiratory tract, ears, and nose.

Vascular Tissue

Connective tissue consisting of liquid plasma extracellular matrix and formed blood cells responsible for transport and immunity.

Skeletal Muscle

Striated, voluntary muscle tissue attached to bones that facilitates body movement.

Smooth Muscle

Non-striated, involuntary muscle tissue located in the walls of internal organs, digestive tract, and blood vessels.

Cardiac Muscle

Striated, involuntary muscle tissue found exclusively in the heart.

Neuron

Specialized nerve cell comprising a cell body, dendrites, and an axon, designed to sense stimuli and transmit electrical signals.

Dendrite

Slender neuronal extension that receives and conveys signals toward the cell body.

Axon

Long neuronal extension that transmits signals away from the cell body toward target cells or effector organs.

Prokaryote

Simple single-celled organism lacking a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryote

Complex unicellular or multicellular organism containing a membrane-bound nucleus and organized cellular organelles.

Microvilli

Small, slender, finger-like projections on apical epithelial surfaces that increase surface area for enhanced absorption.

Cilia

Hair-like cellular extensions composed of microfilaments/microtubules used for fluid movement across cell surfaces or sensory reception.

Flagella

Long, whip-like tail structures made of protein filaments arranged in a 9+2 microtubule pattern that drive cell motility.

Pseudopods

Temporary cytoplasmic extensions ("false feet") utilized by cells for locomotion and phagocytic ingestion.

Guard Cell

Specialized plant cell with variable cell wall thickness that regulates stoma opening and transpiration rate.

Root Hair Cell

Specialized root epidermal cell with a long, thin projection providing an increased surface area for absorbing water and nutrients.

Xylem Vessel

Lignified plant transport cell lacking protoplasm that forms continuous tubes to conduct water and minerals upward.