003 - The Cell

Resolution

The ability to distinguish two separate points or objects as distinct.

Anton van Leeuwenhoek

The inventor of the compound microscope.

Compound Microscope

A microscope that uses light to magnify objects and can magnify 400 to 1000 times.

Transmission Electron Microscope

A microscope that uses a beam of electrons to magnify the specimen and can magnify up to 600,000 times.

Scanning Electron Microscope

A microscope where a beam of electrons passes over the specimen and projects a 3D image onto a computer.

Atoms

Groups of protons, electrons, and neutrons.

Molecules

Groups of atoms bonded together.

Organelles

Specialized parts of cells that perform specific functions.

Cells

The smallest unit of life.

Tissues

Groups of similar cells.

Organs

Groups of tissues with a specific function.

Systems

Groups of organs that work together to perform a specific purpose.

Organisms

A single lifeform.

Cell

The smallest functional unit of life, and all living things are composed of cells.

Reproduce

The ability of living things to produce offspring.

Need energy

Living things require energy to carry out their functions.

Produce wastes

Living things generate waste products that need to be eliminated.

Grow

Living things have the ability to increase in size or develop.

Respond and adapt to their environment

Living things can sense and respond to changes in their surroundings.

The Cell Theory

The theory that all organisms are composed of one or more cells, the cell is the smallest functional unit of life, and all cells are produced from other cells.

Prokaryotic

One of the two types of cells, characterized by the absence of a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryotic

One of the two types of cells, characterized by the presence of a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

Bacteria

Prokaryotic cells that are commonly found in various environments.

Plasmid

A circular piece of DNA found in prokaryotic cells.

Recombinant DNA

DNA that has been artificially combined from different sources.

Chromosome

A structure in the cell nucleus that contains genetic information.

Nucleus

The control center of the cell that contains DNA and regulates cell activities.

Nucleolus

A structure inside the nucleus that produces RNA and ribosomes.

Chromatin

The mass of stringy, entangled chromosomes observed during interphase.

Nucleoplasm

The jelly-like fluid inside the nucleus that supports its contents.

Cytoplasm

The gel-like substance inside the cell that suspends organelles and dissolves nutrients.

Mitochondrion

An organelle that is the powerhouse of the cell and produces ATP through cellular respiration.

Vacuole

A hollow organelle used for storage within the cell, containing water, nutrients, and waste.

Ribosomes

Small organelles responsible for protein synthesis.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

A network of tubes and canals throughout the cell that provides intracellular transport of molecules.