Intro to Eukaryotic Microbes Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the structure, function, and evolutionary origin of eukaryotic cells as discussed in BIOL 2420.

Cell

The basic unit of life; all have a cell membrane, DNA, and ribosomes.

Nucleus

The control center of the cell that contains the DNA and a nucleolus.

Cell membrane

The outer boundary of the cell that is selectively permeable.

Mitochondria

Organelles responsible for ATP synthesis.

Lysosomes

Organelles that contain enzymes to digest food particles.

Golgi apparatus

Organelle that modifies and packages macromolecules.

Rough ER

Dotted with ribosomes; the site of protein synthesis.

Smooth ER

The site of lipid synthesis; contains no ribosomes.

Flagella

A whip-like tail; has a more complex structure in eukaryotes than in prokaryotes.

Cilia

Hair-like projections located all over the surface of the cell.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that are larger and more complex, containing a nucleus, organelles, $80s$ ribosomes, and linear DNA; represented by Domain Eukarya.

Prokaryotic Cells

Cells that are smaller and less complex, lacking a nucleus and organelles; they contain $70s$ ribosomes and circular DNA; represented by Domains Bacteria and Archaea.

Endosymbiont theory

Describes the evolution of the eukaryotic cell from a prokaryotic cell through membrane folding and the ingestion of smaller prokaryotes.

Origin of Mitochondria

Formed according to the endosymbiont theory when a primitive eukaryotic cell ingested a smaller aerobic prokaryote.

Origin of Chloroplast

Formed according to the endosymbiont theory when a cell ingested a photosynthetic prokaryotic cell.

Optional Eukaryotic Structures

Include flagella, chloroplasts (photosynthetic only), cell wall, glycocalyx, and cilia.

Eukaryotic Microbes

The group of organisms consisting of Fungi, Protozoa, Algae, and Helminths.