The Fundamental Unit of Life

Vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes regarding the fundamental unit of life, covering cells, their structures, functions, and processes.

Cell

The basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms.

Plasma Membrane

The outermost covering of the cell that separates the cell's contents from its external environment.

Cell Wall

A rigid outer covering found in plant cells, composed mainly of cellulose.

Nucleus

A double-layered structure that contains chromosomes and controls the cell's activities.

Cytoplasm

The fluid content within the cell membrane that contains various organelles.

Organelles

Specialized structures within a cell that perform distinct functions.

Mitochondria

The powerhouse of the cell, responsible for producing energy in the form of ATP.

Chloroplasts

Organelles in plant cells that facilitate photosynthesis; contain chlorophyll.

Diffusion

The process of spontaneous movement of substances from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

Prokaryotic Cells

Cells that lack a defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that have a defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

A network of membrane-bound tubes involved in the transport and synthesis of proteins and lipids.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids.

Lysosomes

Membrane-bound sacs filled with digestive enzymes, acting as the waste disposal system of the cell.

Chromosomes

Structures that contain genetic information in the form of DNA.

Cell Theory

The concept that all living organisms are composed of cells, which are the basic unit of life.

Cell Division

The process by which a cell divides to produce new cells, including mitosis and meiosis.

Hypotonic Solution

A solution with a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of a cell, causing the cell to gain water.

Isotonic Solution

A solution with the same concentration of solutes as inside the cell, causing no net movement of water.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution with a higher concentration of solutes compared to the inside of a cell, causing the cell to lose water.