Cell Structure and Genetic Features: Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on prokaryotes vs. eukaryotes, DNA organization, organelles, plasmids, and related cellular features.

Prokaryote

A single-celled organism that lacks a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; its DNA is typically circular and resides in the cytoplasm.

Eukaryote

A cell with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; DNA is organized into linear chromosomes within the nucleus; may be single- or multicellular.

Nucleus

A membrane-bound organelle in eukaryotic cells that houses the cell’s DNA.

DNA

The genetic material that carries hereditary information; in prokaryotes it is usually circular and located in the cytoplasm, while in eukaryotes it is linear and packaged into chromosomes inside the nucleus.

Chromosome

A structure consisting of DNA bound to proteins; in eukaryotes, linear chromosomes; in prokaryotes, a circular chromosome.

Circular DNA

DNA that is circular in form, typical of prokaryotes and plasmids, not enclosed in a nucleus.

Linear DNA

DNA arranged in linear chromosomes in eukaryotes, associated with histone proteins.

Plasmid

A small, circular DNA molecule in bacteria that carries accessory genes and can be transferred between cells.

Conjugation

A form of horizontal gene transfer where genetic material is exchanged between bacteria, often via a sex pilus.

Sex pilus

A thin projection used to connect bacteria during conjugation to transfer plasmids.

Antibiotic resistance

The ability of bacteria to survive and grow in the presence of antibiotics, often carried on plasmids or resistance genes.

Ribosome

Ribosomal particles that synthesize proteins; in prokaryotes, ribosomes are free in the cytoplasm; in eukaryotes, many are attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

A membrane-bound organelle with rough (ribosome-studded) and smooth regions; rough ER synthesizes proteins and smooth ER synthesizes lipids.

Golgi apparatus

A membrane-bound organelle that processes, modifies, and ships proteins and lipids to their destinations.

Membrane-bound organelle

An organelle enclosed by a lipid membrane, such as nucleus, ER, and Golgi.

Protists

A diverse group of mostly single-celled eukaryotes.

Yeasts

Single-celled fungi.

Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)

A microscopy technique that uses transmitted electrons to view internal structures of cells at high resolution.

Cytoplasm

The internal fluid of the cell where organelles reside; in prokaryotes, DNA is located in the cytoplasm rather than in a nucleus.

Cytoskeleton

The network of protein filaments that gives the cell its shape and organization (often more complex in eukaryotes).