General Biology

Biology

The study of life and living organisms, including their functions, growth, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy.

Cell

The basic unit of life that forms all living things; can be unicellular or multicellular.

Microscope

An instrument that makes small objects appear larger; crucial for observing cells.

Hooke's discovery

Robert Hooke observed cork and named the small compartments 'cellula'.

Leeuwenhoek

The first scientist to observe bacteria, blood cells, and sperm cells under a microscope.

Schleiden and Schwann

Scientists who concluded that all organisms are made up of cells and that the cell is the basic unit of life.

Cell Theory

The theory that all living organisms are made up of cells, cells are the basic structural unit, and all cells come from pre-existing cells.

Spontaneous Generation

The outdated theory that living creatures could arise from nonliving matter.

Francesco Redi

Conducted experiments with fresh meats to disprove spontaneous generation.

John Needham

Boiled chicken broth to claim evidence for spontaneous generation.

Lazzaro Spallanzani

Flawed Needham’s experiment by sealing broth to suggest microorganisms come from the air.

Louis Pasteur

Debunked spontaneous generation with experiments using S-shaped flasks.

Cell Membrane

The membrane that surrounds the cell and separates its interior from the external environment.

Cytoplasm

The gelatinous liquid filling the cell, composed of water, salts, and organic molecules.

Centrioles

Paired organelles in animal cells that assist in cell division and organization.

Nucleus

The control center of the cell that regulates activities and contains genetic information.

Nucleolus

The largest structure in the nucleus, known for ribosome synthesis.

Ribosomes

Macromolecular machines that perform protein synthesis within cells.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

An organelle involved in protein folding and transport within eukaryotic cells.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle that packages proteins into vesicles for transport to their destinations.

Lysosomes

Membrane-enclosed organelles containing enzymes for breaking down biological polymers.

Mitochondria

Organelles that generate ATP through aerobic respiration, known as the powerhouse of the cell.

Cell Wall

The tough layer surrounding some cells, providing support and protection.

Flagellum

A hair-like appendage used for movement in certain cells.

Cilium

A membrane-bound organelle that extends from eukaryotic cells for movement or sensory functions.

Chitin

A natural biopolymer found in fungal cell walls and exoskeletons of arthropods.

Root Hair

Specialized outgrowths of plant root epidermal cells for water absorption.

Chloroplast

An organelle containing chlorophyll that captures sunlight for photosynthesis.

Vacuole

A membrane-bound organelle that stores substances and maintains water balance in cells.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells with membrane-bound organelles, complex structures, and a true nucleus.

Prokaryotic Cells

Simpler cells without a true nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.

Prokaryotes

Simple life forms such as bacteria and archaea with less complex cellular structures.

Eukaryotes

More complex cells that are unicellular or multicellular with organized internal structures.

Unicellular Organisms

Organisms consisting of a single cell, reproducing asexually.

Multicellular Organisms

Organisms composed of multiple cells with specialized functions.

Cell Divisions

The process by which cells reproduce for growth, repair, and replacement.

Cellular Processes

The various functions and activities that occur within cells.

Cytoskeleton

A network of fibers that provides support and shape to the cell.

Organelle

Specialized structures within a cell that perform distinct functions.

Asexual Reproduction

A reproductive process that results in offspring from a single parent.