Cell Biology Lecture Notes

Flashcards from lecture notes

Polygonal

Cells with irregularly angular shapes and with four, five, or more sides

Stellate

Starlike cell shape (nerve cells)

Spheroid

Spherically shaped cells (egg and fat cells)

Ovoid

Round or ovally shaped cells white blood cells

Discoid

Discly shaped cells (red blood cells)

Fusiform

Thick in the middle and tapered toward the end (smooth muscle)

Fibrous

Threadlike cells (skeletal muscle)

Why can't cells grow to unlimited size

Due to the relationship between its volume and surface area. Surface area of a cell is…

Cytoplasm

The fluid between the nucleus and surface membrane, contains cytoskeleton, organel…

TEM: Transmission Electron Microscope

Uses a beam of electrons in place of light. Assisted in seeing the cells ultrastructure…..

SEM: Scanning electron microscope

3 D images at high magnification and resolution only view surface features

Plasma (cell) membrane

A protein/lipid layer formed around the cell phospholipids and proteins, different co…

Cytoskeleton

A supportive framework to the cell

Cytosol or intracellular fluid

A clear gel (intacellular fluid [ICF]) containing the organelles and cytoskeleton

Extracellular Fluid

ECF-fluid outside of the cell

Glycolipids

Phospholipids +carbohydrates help form the glucocalix

Cytology

The scientific study of cells

Squamous

Thin, flat cell, often have a bulge where the nucleus is (like a fried egg, 'sunny side up')

Cubodial

Squarish cells and approx. as tall as they are wide (liver cells)

Columnar

Cells taller than they are wide (intestine lining)