Vocab 1-1

Cell

Smallest fundamental unit of structure and function in living things

Eukaryote

Organism with cells that have nuclei and membrane-bound organelles

Evolution

The process of gradual change in a population or species over time

Homeostasis

Ability of an organism to maintain constant internal conditions

Macromolecules

Large molecule, typically formed by the joining of smaller molecules

Molecule

Chemical structure consisting of at least 2 atoms held together by 1 or more chemical bonds

Organ

Collection of related tissues grouped together performing a common function

Organ System

Level of organization that consists of functionally related interacting organs

Organelle

Small structures that exist within cells and carry out cellular functions

Organism

Individual living entity

Phylogenetic Tree

Diagram showing the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences in genetic or physical traits or both; in essence, a hypothesis concerning evolutionary connections

Population

All of the individuals of a species living within a specific area

Prokaryote

Single-celled organism that lacks organelles and does not have nuclei surrounded by a nuclear membrane

Tissue

Group of similar cells carrying out related functions

Aerobic

Organisms that uses oxygen

Anaerobic

Refers to organisms that grow without oxygen

Autotroph

Organism that produces organic molecules from small inorganic compoudns

Cyanobacteria

Bacteria that evolved from early phototrophs and oxygenated the atmosphere; also known as blue-green algae

Extremeophile

Organism that grows under extreme or harsh conditions

Heterotroph

Organism that obtain energy from organic molecules -> consumed from the environmemt

Endosymbiosis

Engulfment of one cell within another such that the engulfed cell survives, and both cells benefit; the process responsible for evolution of mitochondria and chloroplasts in eukaryotes

Endosymbiotic Theory

Theory that states that eukaryotes may have been a product of one cell engulfing another, one living within another, and evolving over time until the separate cells were no longer recognizable as such

Cell Wall

rigid cell covering comprised of various molecules that protects the cell, provides structural support, and gives shape to the cell

Central Vacuole

large plant cell organelle that regulates the cell’s storage compartment, holds water, and plays a significant role in cell growth as the site of macromolecule degradation

Centrosome

region in animal cells made of two centrioles that serves as an organizing center for microtubules

Chloroplasts

plant cell organelle that carries out photosynthesis

Cilium

short, hair-like structure that extends from the plasma membrane in large numbers and functions to move an entire cell or move substances along the cell’s outer surface

Cytoplasm

entire region between the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope, consisting of organelles suspended in the gel-like cytosol, the cytoskeleton, and various chemicals

Cytoskeleton

protein fiber network that collectively maintains the cell’s shape, secures some organelles in specific positions, allows cytoplasm and vesicles to move within the cell, and enables unicellular organisms to move independently

Cytosol

the cytoplasm’s gel like material in which cell structures are suspended

Endomembrane system

group of organelles and membranes in eukaryotic cells that work together modifying, packaging, and transporting lipids and proteins

Endoplasmic reticulum

series of interconnected membranous structures within eukaryotic cells that collectively modify proteins and synthesize lipids

Extracellular matrix

material secreted from animal or fungal cells that provides mechanical protection and anchoring for the cells in the tissue

Flagellum

long, hair-like structure that extends from the plasma membrane and moves the cell

Golgi apparatus

eukaryotic organelle comprised of a series of stacked membranes that sorts, tags, and packages lipids and proteins for distrubtion

Intermediate filament

cytoskeletal component comprised of several fibrous protein intertwined strands, that bears tension, supports cell-cell junctions and anchors cells to extracellular structures

Lysosome

organelle in an animal cell that functions as the cell’s digestive component; it breaks down proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids, and even worn out organelles

Microfilament

the cytoskeleton system’s narrowest element; it provides rigidity and shape to the cell and enables cellular movements

Microtubule

the cytoskeleton system’s widest element; it helps the cell resist compression, provides a track along which vesicles move through the cell, pulls replicated chromosomes to opposite ends of a dividing cell, and is the structural element of centrioles, flagella, and cilia

Mitochondria

cellular organelles responsible for carrying out cellular respiration; resulting in ATP, the cell’s main energy-carrying molecule

Nuclear envelope

double membrane structure that constitutes the nucleus’ outermost position

Nucleoid

central part of a prokaryotic cell’s central part where the chromosome is located

Nucleolus

darkly staining body within the nucleus that contains responsibility for assembling ribosome subunits

Nucleus

cell organelle that houses the cell’s DNA and directs ribosome and protein synthesis

Organelle

compartment or sac within a cell

Peroxisome

small, round organelle that contains hydrogen peroxide, oxidizes fatty acids and nucleic acids, detoxifies many poisons

Plasma membrane

phospholipid bilayer with embedded or attached proteins, and separates the cell’s internal content from its surrounding environment

Ribosome

cellular structure that carries out protein synthesis

RER

region of endoplasmic reticulum that is studded with ribosomes and engages in protein modification and phospholipid synthesis

SER

region of endoplasmic reticulum that has few or no ribosomes on its cytoplasmic surface and synthesizes carbohydrates, lipids, and steroid hormones; detoxifies certain chemicals, and stores calcium ions

Unified cell theory

a biological concept that states that one or more cells comprise all organisms; the cell is the basic unit of life; and new cells arise from existing cells

Vacuole

membrane-bound sac, somewhat larger than a vesicle, which functions in cellular storage and transport

Vesicle

small, membrane-bound sac that functions in cellular storage and transport; its membrane and the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum and golgi apparatus