- Archaea - Apart of a domain of single-celled organisms. These microorganisms lack cell nuclei and are therefore prokaryotes. They were initially classified as bacteria, receiving the name archaebacteria, but this term has fallen out of use.
- Bacteria - Are microscopic living organisms, usually unicellular, that can be found everywhere. They can be dangerous, such as when they cause infection, or beneficial, as in the process of fermentation (such as in wine) and that of decomposition.
- Cell - The smallest structural and functional unit of an organism, which is typically microscopic and consists of cytoplasm and a nucleus enclosed in a membrane.
- Cell Plasma Membrane - A semi-permeable membrane found in all cells that separates the interior of the cell from the outside environment. It selectively controls the entry or exit of materials, in and out of cells.
- Cell Theory - All living organisms are composed of one or more cells. The cell is the basic unit of structure and organisation in organisms. Cells arise from pre-existing cells.
- Cilia - Are microscopic, hair-like structures that help move a cell or group of cells or to help transport fluid or materials past them.
- Cytosol - The aqueous component of the cytoplasm of a cell, within which various organelles and particles are suspended. It contains dissolved substances and molecules.
- Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) - A self-replicating material that is present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information. Composed of two polynucleotide chains that coil around each other to form a double helix carrying genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth and reproduction
- Eukaryote - Any cell or organism that possesses a clearly defined nucleus. It has a nuclear membrane that surrounds the nucleus, in which the well-defined chromosomes (bodies containing the hereditary material) are located.
- Prokaryote - A microscopic single-celled organism which has neither a distinct nucleus with a membrane nor other specialized organelles, including the bacteria and cyanobacteria.
- Extremophile - A microorganism, especially an archaean, that lives in conditions of extreme temperature, acidity, alkalinity, or chemical concentration.
- Flagella - A slender threadlike structure, especially a microscopic appendage that enables movement in protozoa, bacteria, spermatozoa, etc.
- Membrane-bound Organelle - Organised structure of distinctive morphology and function, bounded by a single or double lipid bilayer membrane. Includes the nucleus, mitochondria, plastids, vacuoles, and vesicles.
- Nucleus - The nucleus controls and regulates the activities of the cell (e.g., growth and metabolism) and carries the genes, structures that contain the hereditary information.
- Organelle - A small structure in a cell that is surrounded by a membrane and has a specific function.
- Plasmid - A genetic structure in a cell that can replicate independently of the chromosomes, typically a small circular DNA strand in the cytoplasm of a bacterium or protozoan. Plasmids are much used in the laboratory manipulation of genes.
- Ribosome - A particle consisting of RNA and associated proteins found in large numbers in the cytoplasm of living cells. They bind messenger RNA and transfer RNA to synthesize polypeptides and proteins.
- Cytoplasm - A gel-like fluid inside the cell that is a medium for chemical reactions. It fills up empty space in the cell and helps hold the cells shape.
- Nucleolus - Is made of densely packed proteins and a type of nucleic acid called RNA (Ribonucleic Acid). It is responsible in facilitating ribosome creation.
- Mitochondria - A membrane-bound organelle that is responsible for the production of the cells chemical energy along with the production and storage of ATP (Adenosine 5′-triphosphate). It is the energy generating organelle.
- Endoplasmic Reticulum - Pinches off into small membrane-bound sacks called vesticles, which transports, stores and digests. It serves as a transport system within the cell, and is also important in the production and modification of proteins, lysosome enzymes and storage.
- Types of Endoplasmic Reticulum - There are 2 categories of the endoplasmic reticulum, the Rough ER and the Smooth ER. The difference between them is that the rough ER holds ribosomes on the outside of the membrane while the smooth ER has no ribosomes.
- Golgi Apparatus - It is the cells packaging and distribution system. After protein/polypeptides leave the ER, they fuse with the Golgi Body and enzymes are added to the protein and then further stored or transported.
- Lysosomes - It is formed by the Golgi Body and contain digestive enzymes which help with the breakdown and recycle of old organelles.
- Enzymes - Are protein catalysts that act to increase the of a chemical reaction within a cell.
- Cytoskeleton - Is a dimensional structure thats supports the cells shape. It helps facilitate organelle movement.
- Cell Wall - Surrounds the cell membrane and provides protection along with support. It can only be found in plants, bacteria, fungi and most algae.
- Cellulose - A complex carbohydrate molecule that makes up the cell wall.
- Chloroplast - Photosynthesis occurs in this substance that is found in plant cells. Chlorophyll is pigmented organelles that can absorb light energy in photosynthesis, it makes up chloroplast.
- Vacuole - Cytoplasm in plant cells is composed of a fluid-filled space which is used as a storage space for sugars, minerals, proteins and water. This space is only found in plant cells and can often be described as the dump of the cell.
- Fluid Mosaic Model - Proposes that the cell membrane is a lipid bi-layer and can be considered as a 2-dimensional fluid embedded with proteins.
- Transport Proteins - Act as passageways that allow specific substances to move across the membrane.
- Receptor Proteins - Bind hormones and other substances that cause changes to the cells activities.
- Recognition Proteins - Act as markers called antigens. These allow other immune systems to distinguish between “self” and “non-self” cells.
- Adhesion Proteins - Mediate the interaction between cells, or between cells and the extracellular matrix. They cause a ripple affect within the cell, connected to proteins and other adhesion proteins.
- Cholesterol - A steroid lipid found in most body tissues, and an important component of cell membranes. It reduces the permeability of the membrane to small water-soluble molecules.
- Osmosis - Is the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from a solution of lesser solute concentration to one of greater solute concentration.
- Hypotonic - Lower concentration of solutes than the compared cell.
- Hypertonic - Higher concentration of solutes than the compared cell.
- Isotonic - Equal concentration of solutes to the compared cell.
- Simple Diffusion - The net movement of particles from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration. Movement will continue until equilibrium is reached. The process also does not require energy (passive transport).
- Facilitated Diffusion - Involves proteins and is the way dissolved hydrophilic substances cross the membrane down the concentration gradient. The process also does not require energy (passive transport). The proteins are also either channel or carrier proteins.
- Active Transport - The process of moving substances across the cell membrane against the concentration gradient. Moves dissolved substances from low-high concentrations. It also requires energy from ATP.
- Endocytosis - The process of bulk transport of macromolecules and lipids into a cell. Uses vesicles or lysosomes to pinch of a small section of membrane to engulf material.
- Pinocytosis - A form on endocytosis that involves solutions of material.
- Exocytosis - The process of bulk transport out of cells. Vesicles fuse with the cell membrane before the contents are released outside the cell.
- Mitosis - A process of cell duplication in which one cell divides into two genetically identical daughter cells. The cells chromosomes are copied and then distributed equally between the two new nuclei of the daughter cells.
- Daughter Cell - Genetically identical cells formed by a parent cell when a cell undergoes division by mitosis
- Cleavage - After fertilization, the development of a multicellular organism proceeds by a process called cleavage, a series of mitotic divisions whereby the enormous volume of egg cytoplasm is divided into numerous smaller, nucleated cells.
- Cleavage Furrow - The indentation of the cells surface that begins the progression of cleavage, by which animal and some algal cells undergo cytokinesis, the final splitting of the membrane, in the process of cell division.
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