The scientific study of plants.
Botany
An organism with a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Eukaryote
Composed of more than one cell.
Multicellular
The cell wall of plants that contains the polysaccharide cellulose.
Cellulosic Cell Wall
Organisms that can produce their own food through photosynthesis.
Autotroph
The process by which plants capture light energy of sunlight and use carbon dioxide and water to make their own food (glucose).
Photosynthesis
Fluid-filled sacs for storage of water and nutrients needed by the cell.
Vacuoles
Organelle in plant cells that contains chlorophyll and is responsible for photosynthesis.
Chloroplast
Generally non-motile, but can exhibit limited movement.
Sedentary
The study of the form and structures of plants.
Plant Morpho-Anatomy
The study of the structures and functions of important biological molecules in plants.
Plant Molecular Biology
The study of the structures, functions, and life processes of plant cells.
Plant Cell Biology
The study of how plants function, including processes like photosynthesis and mineral nutrition.
Plant Physiology
The study of plant heredity and variation.
Plant Genetics
The study of the interrelationships among plants and between plants and their environment.
Plant Ecology
The study of diseases in plants.
Plant Pathology
The study of plant taxonomy and phylogeny.
Plant Systematics
The study of algae.
Phycology
The study of fungi.
Mycology
The study of ferns.
Pteridology
The study of mosses.
Bryology
The study of trees.
Dendrology
The basic structural and functional unit of every organism.
Cell
Proteins, amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, sugars, nucleotides, DNA, and RNA found in all cells.
Molecular Components
Plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and ribosomes found in all cells.
Structural Components
The process by which cells extract energy and nutrients from the environment and use them to build, repair, and replace cellular parts.
Metabolism
British scientist who coined the word "cell" and observed cells in thin slices of cork.
Robert Hooke
Dutch tradesman and scientist who observed single-celled organisms and microorganisms using handcrafted microscopes.
Anton van Leeuwenhoek
The theory proposed by Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann that states that cells are the basic units of life and all living organisms are composed of one or more cells.
Cell Theory
Cells that have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Eukaryotic Cells
The outermost component of a cell that encloses the cytoplasm and regulates the exchange of substances between the cell and its environment.
Plasma Membrane
The most distinct organelle in a eukaryotic cell that contains most of the genes.
Nucleus
The double membrane that encloses the nucleus and allows selective exchange of materials.
Nuclear Envelope/Membrane
Nuclear Pores
Tiny membrane-lined channels in the nuclear envelope that allow the exchange of materials between the nucleus and the cytoplasm.
The material within the nucleus that consists of DNA organized into discrete units called chromosomes. It is a complex of proteins and DNA.
Chromatin
The region of the cell that consists of all materials inside the plasma membrane and outside the nucleus. It contains a semifluid, jelly-like substance called cytosol and is the most active region of the cell where metabolic activities occur.
Cytoplasm
Spherical bodies that may be attached to the endoplasmic reticulum or free in the cytoplasm. They are aggregates of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and protein and function as the site of protein synthesis in the cell.
Ribosomes
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
A network of membranous tubules and sacs within the cytoplasm.
smooth ER
involved in lipid synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, detoxification, and calcium storage
rough ER
synthesize both secretory proteins and phospholipids
Membrane-bound vesicles of flattened sacs and stacks that receive proteins and lipids from the ER and sort them according to their destinations. It also modifies molecules and acts as the "shipping and receiving center" of the cell.
Golgi Apparatus
A cisterna of the Golgi apparatus that faces the rough ER.
Entry or Cis Face
A cisterna of the Golgi apparatus that faces the plasma membrane.
Exit or Trans Face
Sacs between the entry and exit faces of the Golgi apparatus.
Medial Cisternae
Small membrane-bound sacs that transport materials within the cell or to the plasma membrane for export.1. Golgi apparatus:An organelle in the cell that processes, sorts, and modifies proteins and lipids.
Vesicles
Vesicles that contain digestive enzymes and break down waste materials and cellular debris.
Lysosomes
A network of membranes in the cell that includes the nuclear membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, vacuoles, and plasma membrane.
Endomembrane system
Small vesicles that contain enzymes for breaking down fatty acids, amino acids, and hydrogen peroxide.
Peroxisomes
by-product of fatty acid and amino acid breakdown and can be toxic to a cell.
Hydrogen peroxide
Double-membrane organelles that are the site of cellular respiration and ATP synthesis.
Mitochondria
The outer membrane is smooth, but the inner membrane forms deep folds called
Cristae
Site of cellular aerobic respiration (convert energy stored in sugar to ATP)
major site of ATP synthesis
“powerhouse of the cell”
found in large number of metabolically active cells
Functions of Mitochondria
A network of protein fibers that provide support, shape, and motility to the cell.
Cytoskeleton
Thin protein fibers involved in cell shape, motility, and division.
Microfilaments
Medium-sized protein fibers that provide mechanical support and maintain cell shape.
Intermediate filaments
Hollow structures formed from protein subunits involved in cell motility, chromosome movements, and organelle movements.
Microtubules
An extracellular structure found in plant cells that provides support and protection.
Cell wall
Cellulose
The main component of plant cell walls, a tough and insoluble polysaccharide.
Hemicellulose
A kind of polysaccharide that binds together cellulose microfibrils and produces a solid structure.
Found in the secondary wall of plant cell walls, it resists chemical, fungal, and bacterial attack.
Lignin
A sticky polysaccharide composing the middle lamella layer, responsible for gluing adjacent plant cells together.
Pectin
The relatively thin and flexible wall of a cell, composed mainly of cellulose.
Primary Wall
Located between the plasma membrane and the primary wall, it is thicker and stronger than the primary wall due to the presence of lignin.
Secondary Wall
A thin layer rich in pectins, located between the primary walls of adjacent cells, responsible for the organized arrangement of plant cells.
Middle Lamella
Channels or fine holes perforating the cell walls between adjacent cells, allowing for the passage of water, solutes, proteins, and RNA molecules.
Plasmodesmata
Developed by the coalescence of smaller vacuoles, it serves as a storage site for nutrient reserves, waste products, and inorganic ions.
Central Vacuole
the solution inside the central vacuole, differs in composition from the cytosol
Cell Sap
A membrane-bound organelle found in plant cells that stores water, nutrients, and waste materials
Vacuole
The process by which cells increase in size and number
Cell growth
The gel-like substance inside a cell, excluding the nucleus
Cytoplasm
The outer boundary of a cell that regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell
Plasma membrane
The process of breaking down cellular components using enzymes
Cellular digestion
The membrane surrounding the central vacuole in plant cells
Tonoplast
Enzymes that break down molecules into smaller components for absorption or elimination
Digestive enzymes
Molecules that absorb certain wavelengths of light and give color to cells or tissues
Pigments
A group of organelles in plant cells that perform various functions
Plastids
synthesis, storage, and export of specialized lipid molecules
storage of carbohydrates and iron
formation of colors in some flowers and fruits
Functions of Plastids
The inner fluid of plastids
Stroma
A type of plastid responsible for photosynthesis in plants
Chloroplast
The process by which plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen
Photosynthesis
Stacks of disc-like structures in chloroplasts where photosynthesis takes place
Grana
Each individual disc in the grana of chloroplasts
Thylakoid
Cellular structures responsible for protein synthesis
Ribosomes
The main pigment in chloroplasts that captures light energy for photosynthesis
Chlorophyll
Chromoplast
A plastid that contains colored pigments and is responsible for the coloration of flowers and fruits
Amyloplast
Plastids found in plant tissues that cannot photosynthesize
Membrane-bound organelles in animal cells that contain digestive enzymes
Lysosomes
Cylindrical structures involved in cell division in animal cells
Centrioles
Long, whip-like structures used for cell movement in some animal cells
Flagella
Hair-like structures that extend from the surface of some animal cells and are involved in movement or sensing
Cilia
The outer boundary of a cell that regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell
Cell membrane
A rigid structure outside the cell membrane that provides support and protection in plant cells
Cell wall
The double membrane that surrounds the nucleus of a cell
Nuclear membrane
Organelles responsible for energy production in cells1. Endoplasmic Reticulum:A network of membranes within the cell that is involved in the synthesis, modification, and transport of proteins and lipids.
Mitochondria
Organelles found only in animal cells that contain enzymes responsible for breaking down waste materials and cellular debris.
Lysosomes
Organelles involved in the breakdown of fatty acids and the detoxification of harmful substances in the cell.
Peroxisomes
A stack of membranes in the cell that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for transport to their final destinations.
Golgi Apparatus
The process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
Diffusion
The outer boundary of the cell that regulates the exchange of substances between the cell and its environment.
Plasma Membrane
Allowing some substances to cross the membrane more easily than others.
Selectively Permeable