Cell Biology and Organelles Vocabulary

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on the introductory biology lecture covering cell theory, microscopy, cell organelles, and characteristics of life.

Cells

The basic units of structure and function in living things.

Cell theory

The scientific principle stating that all living things are made of cells, cells are the basic units of life, and new cells came from older cells.

Microscope

A scientific tool that uses lenses or a beam of energy to make tiny things look bigger.

Magnification

The process of making an object look bigger than it actually is using tools like lenses, microscopes, or zoom.

Scale bar

A small line or ruler graphic on a map, diagram, or photo.

Resolution

The ability of a microscope to distinguish details of a specimen or sample.

Electron microscope

A scientific device that uses a beam of electrons instead of light to see very small things.

DNA

The molecule inside cells that carries the genetic information and instructions needed to build, run, and maintain a living organism.

Cytoplasm

The part of the cell that is mostly made of water and where most metabolism occurs.

Plasma membrane

A phospholipid membrane that controls what enters and exits the cell.

Nucleoid region

The region in a prokaryotic cell that contains its single circular chromosome.

Prokaryote

A cell with a simple structure that does not have a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryote

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

Metabolism

The complex network of interacting chemical reactions occurring in living organisms.

Ribosome

A structure responsible for protein synthesis.

Nucleus

A structure in eukaryotic cells that contains chromosomes and genetic information.

Chromosome

A structure made of DNA that contains genetic info for the growth and development of the cell.

Organelle

A structure inside a cell that has a specialized function.

Mitochondria

An organelle where areobiotic respiration occurs and ATP is produced.

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

A membrane structure with ribosomes attached that acts as a site of protein synthesis and transports protein to the gogia apparatus.

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

A membrane structure without ribosomes that is involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification.

Golgi Apparatus

A structure that modifies and packages proteins for secretion from the cell.

Vacuole

A structure involved in storage; in plants, stores nutrients and waste and helps maintain torque or pressure.

Lysosome

A specialized vesicle containing enzymes that digest large molecules.

Unicellular

An organism that contains a single cell.

Multicellular

An organism made up of many cells, often specialized cells or tissues.

Homostatis

The maintenance of internal conditions within a narrow range.

Nutrition

The processes organisms use to obtain and use nutrients for growth and development.

Movement

A change in position of an organism.

Growth

An increase in the mass or size of an organism.

Response to stimuli

The ability of an organism to respond to internal or external stimuli.

Reproduction

The production of offspring.

Cell wall

A rigid structure surrounding certain cells that provides strength and support and prevents the cell from bursting; made of peptidoglycan in prokaryotes and cellulose in plant cells.

Flagellum

Tail like structure in prokaryotic cells that helps a cell move through liquid

Pillus

Tiny hair like structure in bacteria, allows cell adhere to other surfaces and allows exchange of materials with other cells

Cilia

Hair like structures that help a cell move or push past it

Peptidoglycan

Mesh like made of sugars and amino acids that forms the cell wall of most bacteria