Cell Structure and Function Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering unit 1 topics including characteristics of living things, cell theory, microscopy terms, and organelle structures and functions.

First Cell Theory

The theory formulated in 1838 stating that all living things are composed of one or more cells, and that cells are the basic structural and functional units of life.

Matthias Schleiden and Theodore Schwann

The scientists who formulated the first cell theory in 1838.

Modern Cell Theory

The cell theory incorporating the first cell theory plus the third principle added by Rudolf Virchow: all cells come from division of other cells.

Rudolf Virchow

The scientist who expanded cell theory by stating that all cells come from the division of other cells.

Sensitivity

The characteristic of living things where organisms respond to stimuli; plants respond to light and gravity, while animals respond to factors like noise and temperature.

Excretion

The characteristic of living things defined as getting rid of waste products.

Transmission Electron Microscope

A microscope that offers greater magnification and higher resolution than a compound light microscope because electrons are smaller than photons of light.

Cell

A membrane-bound structure that contains organelles that perform specific functions.

Cell Membrane

A structure made of a phospholipid bilayer that surrounds the cell and is responsible for keeping the contents of the cell within.

Hydrophilic Head

The "water loving" part of a phospholipid molecule in the cell membrane.

Hydrophobic Tail

The "water-hating" part of a phospholipid molecule in the cell membrane.

Nucleus

The control centre of the cell where genetic information is stored as DNA.

Nucleolus

A dark patch found inside the nucleus that is the actual part of DNA that creates RNA instructions to be sent out into the cell.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

Genetic information stored within the nucleus that uses RNA as a messenger.

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

The messenger molecule used by DNA to send instructions out into the cytoplasm for protein production.

Ribosome

The protein factory of the cell that takes instructions from RNA.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

The transportation system of the cell attached to the nuclear envelope that produces protein and fat.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle described as a stack of flattened balloons that mainly produces vesicles used for the export of proteins and fat.

Mitochondria

The power plant of the cell, composed of a double membrane, that manufactures ATP during cellular respiration.

Cristae

The inner membrane folds inside a mitochondrion.

Matrix

The space created inside the outer membrane by the folded inner membrane of a mitochondrion.

Adenosine Tri-phosphate (ATP)

The form of energy manufactured from adenosine di-phosphate (ADP) and a phosphate ion that is transported around the cell and body.

Vacuoles

Organelles in plants and animals primarily used for storing water and dissolved materials, which contribute to the rigid nature of plants.

Turgor Pressure

The pressure caused by osmosis into a cell that makes plant structures rigid.

Power

The viewing magnifying strength of a microscope determined by the ocular magnification and objective lens.

Magnification

The amount of increase in the apparent size of an object, calculated as viewing power multiplied by the scale at which the specimen is drawn.

Resolution

The amount of detail that can be seen when viewing a specimen.