CYTOLOGY

Catabolism: The process of breaking down complex molecules into simpler ones, releasing energy in the process.

Cell Membrane: The semi-permeable barrier that surrounds a cell, controlling what enters and exits. Also called the plasma membrane.

Cilia: Hair-like structures on the cell surface that aid in movement or cleaning of surfaces, such as the trachea.

Contractility: The ability of a cell to shorten or generate force in response to stimuli.

Cytoplasm: The substance within a cell that contains organelles and other components, excluding the nucleus.

Endocytosis: The process by which cells ingest material from their environment, including pinocytosis (cell drinking) and phagocytosis (cell eating).

Enzymes: Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions within cells, required for life.

Euchromatin: The less condensed form of chromatin, rich in genes and readily transcribed for protein synthesis.

Exocytosis: The process by which cells release substances into their external environment.

Free Water: Water in the cell that is available for chemical reactions. It acts as a solvent.

Glycocalyx: The loose carbohydrate coat on the outside of the cell membrane, composed of glycolipids, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans.

Glycogen: A polymer of glucose, serving as a storage form of carbohydrate for energy use.

Golgi Complex: An organelle that processes and packages proteins and lipids, preparing them for transport or secretion.

Heterochromatin: The highly condensed, transcriptionally inactive form of chromatin, typically staining darker in microscopy.

Homeostasis: The ability of a cell to maintain a stable internal environment.

Hydrolytic Enzymes: Digestive enzymes that use water to break down molecules; they are present in lysosomes.

Irritability: The ability of a cell to respond to environmental stimuli.

Karyolymph: The soluble phase of nuclear material, also known as nuclear ground substance or nuclear sap.

Lipids: Fat-soluble molecules, important for cell membrane structure and energy storage; they are insoluble in water.

Lysosomes: Organelles containing hydrolytic enzymes used for intracellular digestion.

Metabolism: All the chemical reactions in a cell, including anabolism and catabolism.

Mitochondria: The powerhouses of the cell, responsible for producing ATP by oxidizing nutrients using oxidative enzymes found on the inner membrane, specifically the cristae.

Nuclear Membrane: The double membrane separating the nucleus from the cytoplasm, composed of an inner and an outer membrane.

Nucleolus: A structure within the nucleus involved in ribosome assembly.

Nucleus: The central control center of the cell that houses the DNA.

Peroxisome: A vesicle that contains oxidative enzymes, used to detoxify substances.

Plasma Membrane: The outer boundary of the cell that is semi-permeable, and responsible for selective transport.

Protoplasm: The collective term for all the substances that make up the cell, including water, electrolytes, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates.

Ribosomes: Organelles that synthesize proteins, either free in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER): A network of membranes with attached ribosomes, involved in protein synthesis for extracellular use.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER): A network of membranes without ribosomes, with diverse functions such as lipid metabolism and detoxification.

Structure-Function Relationship: The principle that the structure of a cell or its components dictates its function.

Active Transport: Movement of molecules across a cell membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring energy.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate): The primary energy currency of the cell, used to power cellular processes.

Cell Cycle: A series of events that cells go through, including growth, DNA replication, and division.

Cell Membrane (Plasma Membrane): The outer boundary of the cell, composed of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins and carbohydrates, controlling the passage of substances in and out of the cell.

Centrioles: Paired cylindrical structures that organize microtubules during cell division.

Chromatin: The complex of DNA and proteins that makes up chromosomes.

Cilia: Hair-like cellular projections used for movement of fluids over cell surface.

Cristae: The folds of the inner membrane of the mitochondria, increasing surface area for energy production.

Cytoplasm: The fluid-filled interior of the cell, containing organelles and other cellular components.

Cytoskeleton: A network of protein filaments in the cell that provides structural support and facilitates cell movement and division.

Differentiation: The process by which cells become specialized in structure and function.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): A network of membranes in the cell, involved in protein and lipid synthesis. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER): ER with ribosomes, involved in protein synthesis and modification. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER): ER without ribosomes, involved in lipid synthesis, detoxification, and calcium storage.

Euchromatin: Less condensed, transcriptionally active regions of chromatin.

Exocytosis: The process by which cells secrete products through vesicles fusing with the plasma membrane.

Flagella: Long, whip-like cellular extensions that facilitate cell movement.

Glycocalyx: A carbohydrate-rich layer on the outer surface of the cell membrane, involved in cell adhesion and recognition.

Glycogen: A storage form of glucose, stored as granules in the cytoplasm.

Golgi Complex: An organelle that processes and packages proteins and lipids for transport.

Heterochromatin: Highly condensed, transcriptionally inactive regions of chromatin.

Inclusions: Non-membrane-bound structures in the cytoplasm, such as pigment and lipid droplets, and glycogen granules.

Lysosomes: Organelles that contain digestive enzymes and are responsible for breaking down cellular waste and foreign material.

Membrane Transport: The movement of molecules across the cell membrane, including passive and active mechanisms.

Microfilaments (Actin Filaments): Thin protein filaments that assist with cell movement and shape changes.

Microtubules: Hollow protein tubules that provide structural support, facilitate intracellular transport, and form the core of cilia and flagella.

Mitochondria: Organelles that produce ATP through cellular respiration.

Nucleolus: A region of the nucleus where ribosomes are assembled.

Nucleus: The control center of the cell, containing DNA.

Oxidative Phosphorylation: The process by which ATP is generated in the mitochondria.

Passive Transport: Movement of molecules across a cell membrane along their concentration gradient without energy.

Peroxisomes: Organelles involved in specialized metabolic processes, such as breaking down hydrogen peroxide.

Plasma Membrane: See Cell Membrane.

Protein Synthesis: The process of creating proteins from amino acids based on instructions from DNA.

Ribosomes: Structures composed of RNA and protein, the sites of protein synthesis, found free in the cytoplasm and attached to the RER.

Secretory Granules: Membrane-bound vesicles containing products to be secreted from the cell.