Lesson 1: Cell Theory and Specialized Cells

Vocabulary flashcards covering cell theory, unicellular and multicellular definitions, plant-specific organelles, and examples of specialized animal cells like cardiac muscle and neurons based on the provided notes.

Cell theory

A theory telling us that all living things are made of cells, cells make other cells, and cells are the basic building blocks of life.

Unicellular

Organisms that consist of only $1$ cell.

Multicellular

Organisms that are made up of more than $1$ cell.

Organelles

Components inside the cell that carry out different functions to support the cell and keep it alive.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plant cells make their own food.

Chloroplasts

Special organelles in plant cells required to carry out photosynthesis.

Cell walls

Structures in plant cells that provide structure because plants do not have skeletons.

Large central vacuole

An organelle in plant cells that stores water and helps provide shape and structure.

Specialised cells

Cells that have adapted their structure to perform a specific function.

Red blood cells

Animal cells designed to take oxygen around the body; they lack a nucleus to provide more space to carry oxygen.

Fat cells

Cells designed to store energy for later use, where the fat storage portion takes up most of the cell space, pushing the nucleus and mitochondria to the side.

Cardiac muscle cells

Specialised heart cells designed to contract and relax to pump blood; they contain large numbers of mitochondria and have a striped appearance due to two types of protein.

Mitochondria

Organelles that provide energy; they are found in large numbers in cardiac muscle cells and are used by neurons to make energy for electrical impulses.

Ribosomes

Organelles used to produce proteins; they are present in cardiac muscle cells and the cell body of neurons.

Neuron

A nerve cell designed to transport information throughout the nervous system.

Axon

A long part of a neuron that helps it transport electrical signals over long distances quickly.

Neurotransmitters

Specific proteins that a nerve cell needs to produce to function within the nervous system.