Cell Theory & Basics

Cell

the smallest unit of life

Cell Theory

states that all living things are made of one or more cells, the cells are the smallest unit of life, and all new cells come from preexisting cells

Microscope

a scientific tool used to magnify and view objects that are too small to be viewed with the human eye

Macromolecule

substances that form by joining many small molecules together

Nucleic Acid

macromolecules that form when long chains of molecules called nucleotides join

together; contain genetic information

Protein

long chains of amino acid molecules

Lipid

large macromolecules that do not dissolve in water

Carbohydrate

one sugar molecule, two sugar molecules, or a long chain of sugar molecules

Organelle

structures inside cells that have specialized functions, most organelles are covered by a membrane

Prokaryote

a microscopic single-celled organism that does not contain a nucleus, and has genetic material floating freely in the cell

Eukaryote

an organism consisting of a cell or cells in which the genetic material (DNA) is contained inside an organelle called a nucleus