Cell Biology and Microbiology Vocabulary

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary related to cell biology and microbiology, including definitions and explanations of important concepts.

Actin filaments

Thin protein filaments in the cytoskeleton that help maintain cell shape and enable movement.

Alpha-proteobacteria

A group of bacteria, some of which are ancestors of mitochondria.

Apical Complex

Specialized structure in apicomplexan parasites used to invade host cells.

Apicomplexa

A group of parasitic protists that includes Plasmodium.

Apicoplast

A non-photosynthetic plastid found in Apicomplexa.

Archaea

Single-celled prokaryotes distinct from bacteria, often in extreme environments.

Asgard Archaea

A lineage of archaea thought to be closely related to eukaryotes.

Bacteria

Single-celled prokaryotic organisms with diverse shapes and metabolisms.

Binary fission

A form of asexual reproduction in prokaryotes, producing two identical cells.

Central dogma

The flow of genetic information: DNA → RNA → Protein.

Cellular Slime Mold

Amoeboid protists that aggregate into multicellular structures when food is scarce.

Chloroplast

Organelles in plant and algal cells that carry out photosynthesis.

Cilia

Hair-like projections from the cell surface that aid in movement or sensing.

Coenocytic

Cells with multiple nuclei sharing the same cytoplasm.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria that produce oxygen.

Cytoskeleton

Network of protein filaments that gives structure and shape to cells.

Diploid

Cells containing two sets of chromosomes.

Ester-linked membrane lipids

Common in bacteria and eukaryotes; fatty acids linked to glycerol via ester bonds.

Ether-linked membrane lipids

Found in archaea; fatty acids linked to glycerol via ether bonds.

Eukaryotic signature proteins (ESPs)

Proteins unique to eukaryotes, often involved in complex cellular functions.

Exons

Coding regions of genes that are expressed.

Flagella

Long, whip-like structures used for cell movement.

Glaucophytes

Primitive algae with chloroplasts containing peptidoglycan.

Green Algae

Photosynthetic protists closely related to land plants.

Haploid

Cells containing one set of chromosomes.

Heterotrophy

Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms.

Histones

Proteins around which DNA is wrapped in eukaryotes.

Introns

Non-coding regions of genes that are spliced out of RNA.

Lokiarcheota

Group of archaea considered close relatives of eukaryotes.

Meiosis

Cell division that produces haploid gametes.

Microbial eukaryote

Single-celled eukaryotic organism.

Mitochondrion

Organelle responsible for energy production via cellular respiration.

Mitosis

Cell division producing two identical diploid cells.

Nucleomorph

Remnant nucleus of an engulfed eukaryotic cell within a secondary plastid.

Nucleus

Membrane-bound organelle containing DNA in eukaryotes.

Peptidoglycan

Polymer forming bacterial cell walls.

Phagocytosis

Process by which a cell engulfs particles or other cells.

Plasmodial Slime Mold

Multinucleate, amoeboid protists forming large cytoplasmic masses.

Plastid

Organelle involved in photosynthesis or storage, e.g., chloroplast.

Primary Endosymbiosis

Engulfment of a prokaryote by a eukaryote, giving rise to organelles.

Protist

Diverse group of mostly unicellular eukaryotes.

Pseudopodia

Extensions of the cytoplasm used for movement or feeding.

Red Algae

Photosynthetic protists with red pigments, mostly marine.

Secondary Endosymbiosis

Eukaryote engulfs another eukaryote that already has a plastid.

Tertiary Endosymbiosis

Eukaryote engulfs another eukaryote from secondary endosymbiosis.

Transcription

Process of making RNA from a DNA template.

Translation

Process of synthesizing proteins from RNA.

Universal homology

Features or genes shared by all life due to common ancestry.