Cell Biology and Transport Vocabulary

Flashcards for cell biology and transport mechanisms.

Cell

The basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all known organisms.

Multicellular

An organism consisting of more than one cell, with specialized cells forming tissues and organs.

Eukarya

One of the three domains of life, characterized by cells that have a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

Temporary slides

Microscopic preparations where the specimen is mounted in a liquid and covered with a coverslip, intended for immediate viewing and not long-term storage.

Photosynthesis

The process used by plants, algae, and some bacteria to convert light energy into chemical energy, usually in the form of glucose.

Cell theory

A fundamental biological principle stating that all living things are made of cells, cells are the basic unit of life, and all cells come from pre-existing cells.

Prokaryotic

Organisms whose cells lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles (e.g., bacteria and archaea).

Whole Mounts

Microscopic slides prepared by mounting an entire, intact small organism or structure directly on the slide.

Eubacteria

A kingdom within the domain Bacteria, encompassing most common types of bacteria, often referred to as 'true bacteria.'

Pseudopodia

Temporary, foot-like extensions of the cytoplasm used by some unicellular organisms (like amoebas) for movement and feeding.

Unicellular

An organism consisting of a single cell.

Eukaryotic

Cells that possess a true nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

Permanent slides

Microscopic preparations where the specimen is fixed, stained, and mounted in a medium that hardens, allowing for long-term storage and repeated viewing.

Cyanobacteria

A phylum of bacteria that obtain energy through photosynthesis, formerly known as blue-green algae.

Amyloplasts

Non-pigmented plastids found in plant cells that are responsible for the synthesis and storage of starch.

Colonial

Referring to organisms that live in groups or colonies, where individual cells may show some specialization but can often survive independently.

Organelles

Specialized structures within a cell that perform specific functions, analogous to organs in the body.

Stains

Dyes or reagents used in microscopy to color cells or cell components, making them more visible under the microscope.

Chlorophyll

The green pigment found in chloroplasts of plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, essential for photosynthesis.

Solute

The substance that is dissolved in a solvent to form a solution.

Aquaporins

Integral membrane proteins that facilitate the rapid movement of water across cell membranes.

Solvent

The substance (usually a liquid) that dissolves a solute to form a solution.

Equilibrium

A state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced, resulting in no net change (e.g., when solute concentration is uniform across a membrane).

Solution

A homogeneous mixture composed of two or more substances, typically a solute dissolved in a solvent.

Hypotonic

A solution with a lower solute concentration compared to another solution, typically causing water to move into a cell.

Selectively permeable

A property of cell membranes that allows certain substances to pass through while restricting others.

Isotonic

A solution with the same solute concentration as another solution, resulting in no net movement of water across a membrane.

Passive transport

Movement of substances across a cell membrane without the expenditure of cellular energy, following the concentration gradient.

Hypertonic

A solution with a higher solute concentration compared to another solution, typically causing water to move out of a cell.

Active transport

Movement of substances across a cell membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring cellular energy (ATP).

Plasmolysis

The process in plant cells where the protoplast (cell membrane and cytoplasm) shrinks away from the cell wall due to water loss in a hypertonic solution.

Concentration gradient

The difference in the concentration of a substance between two regions.

Crenation

The process in animal cells (especially red blood cells) where the cell shrivels and develops a notched or scalloped appearance due to water loss in a hypertonic solution.

Diffusion

The net movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, down the concentration gradient.

Osmosis

The net movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of higher water concentration (lower solute concentration) to an area of lower water concentration (higher solute concentration).

Osmolarity

A measure of the solute concentration, defined as the number of osmoles (moles of solute particles) per liter of solution.

Osmometer

A device used to measure osmotic pressure or osmolarity.

Turgor pressure (osmotic pressure)

The internal pressure exerted by water against the cell wall of a plant cell, maintaining its rigidity. (Osmotic pressure specifically refers to the pressure that needs to be applied to a solution to prevent the inward flow of water across a semipermeable membrane).