Cells Flashcards
Organelle
Definition:
Any of a number of organized or specialized structures within a living cell.
Example:
A nucleus is an organelle.
Cell
Definition:
The basic building blocks of all living things.
Example:
Humans are made up of cells.
Tissue
Definition:
Any of the distinct types of material of which animals or plants are made of.
Example:
Muscle tissue is a kind of tissue.
Organ
Definition:
A part of an organism that is typically self-contained and has a specific vital function.
Example:
The heart is a vital organ.
Organ System
Definition:
A group of organs that work together to perform one or more functions.
Example:
The respiratory system is an organ system.
Organism
Definition:
An individual animal, plant, or single-celled life form.
Example:
Bacteria are organisms.
Eukaryote
Definition:
A type of cell with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Example:
Humans have eukaryotic cells inside of them.
Prokaryote
Definition:
A microscopic single-celled organism that has neither a distinct nucleus with a membrane nor other specialized organelles.
Example:
Prokaryotes are simpler than eukaryotes.
Plant Cell
Definition:
A cell that is a structural and functional unit of a plant.
Example:
Plant cells are more ridgid than animal cells.
Animal Cell
Definition:
A type of eukaryotic cell that dominates most of the tissue cells in animals.
Example:
Animal cells do not have a cell wall.
Bacteria
Definition:
A member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms that have cell walls but lack organelles and an organized nucleus.
Example:
Bacteria can cause you to become sick.
Plasmid
Definition:
A genetic structure in a cell that can replicate independently of chromosomes.
Example:
Plasmids are used in laboratories for the manipulation of genes.
Nucleus
Definition:
A dense organelle present in most eukaryotic cells which contain the genetic material.
Example:
The nucleus is a very important part of a cell.
Nuclear Membrane
Definition:
The double lipid bilayer membrane which surrounds the genetic material and nucleolus in eukaryotic cells.
Example:
The nuclear membrane is found in eukaryotic cells.
DNA
Definition:
A nucleic acid that contains an organisms’ genetic code.
Example:
DNA is inside every living organism.
Chromosome
Definition:
A threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells that carries genetic information in the form of genes.
Example:
Humans have chromosomes inside of them.
Cell Membrane
Definition:
The semipermeable membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell.
Example:
The cell membrane decides what stays and leaves the cell.
Phospholipid
Definition:
A lipid containing a phosphate group in its molecule.
Example:
We drew a diagram that contained phosphlipids.
Phospholipid Bilayer
Definition:
A two-layered arrangement of phosphate and lipid molecules that form a cell membrane.
Example:
A phospholipid bilayer has two layers.
Glycoprotein
Definition:
Any of a class of proteins that have carbohydrate groups attached to the polypeptide chain.
Examples:
A glycoprotein is a type of protein.
Glycolipid
Definition:
Lipids with a carbohydrate attached.
Example:
A glycolipid is a lipid.
Cell Wall
Definition:
A rigid layer of polysaccharides lying outside the plasma membrane of the cells of plants, fungi, and bacteria.
Example:
All plant cells have cell walls.
Cytoplasm
Definition:
The fluid that fills a cell.
Example:
The cytoplasm suspends the organelles in a cell.
Lysosome
Definition:
A specialized vesicle that holds a variety of enzymes.
Examples:
A lysosome is found in all eukaryotic cells.
Mitochondria
Definition:
The working organelles that keep the cell full of energy.
Example:
The mitochondria can be called the powerhouse of the cell.
ATP
Definition:
An adenosine-derived nucleotide that contains high-energy phosphate bonds and is used to transport energy to cells for biochemical processes.
Example:
ATP is a transporter.
Ribosomes
Definition:
The protein builders or protein synthesizers of the cell.
Example:
Ribosomes are the protein makers.
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Definition:
A membrane system of folded sacs and interconnected channels that serves as a site for protein and lipid synthesis.
Example:
The rough endoplasmic reticulum has ribosomes and the smooth endoplasmic reticulum doesn’t.
Golgi Body
Definition:
A complex of vesicles and folded membranes within the cytoplasm of most eukaryotic cells.
Example:
Golgi bodies are found in both plant and animal cells.
Centrioles/Centrosomes
Definition:
A minute cylindrical organelle near the nucleus in animal cells which occur in pairs and are involved in the development of spindle fibers in cell division.
Example:
Centrioles are found in the cells of most animals.
Vacuole
Definition:
A space or vesicle within the cytoplasm of a cell, enclosed by a membrane and typically containing fluid.
Example:
Vacuoles are storage spaces in cells.
Chloroplast
Definition:
A plastid that contains chlorophyll and in which photosynthesis takes place.
Example:
Chloroplasts are in every plant cell.
Chlorophyll
Definition:
A green pigment, present in all green plants and in cyanobacteria, responsible for the absorption of light to provide energy for photosynthesis.
Example:
Chlorophyll is the chemoprotein that gives plants their green color.
Plastid
Definition:
Any of a class of small organelles in the cytoplasm of plant cells containing pigment or food.
Example:
Plastids are founds in plants and various algae.
Pilli
Definition:
Tiny, hollow projections that are used in attachment to surfaces.
Example:
Pilli resemble like microscopic hairs.
Flagella
Definition:
A slender threadlike appendage that enables many bacteria to swim.
Example:
Flagella reminds me of whips.
Binary Fission
Definition:
The primary method of reproduction of prokaryotic organisms.
Example:
Binary Fission is used by all prokaryotic bacteria.
Mitosis
Definition:
A type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus.
Example:
Mitosis has multiple stages involved.
Passive Transport
Definition:
A movement of biochemicals and other atomic or molecular substances across cell membranes.
Example:
Passive Transport does not require an input of chemical energy.
Diffusion
Definition:
The intermingling of substances by the natural movement of their particles.
Example:
During Diffusion, substances move from a high concentration to a low concentration.
Facilitated Diffusion
Definition:
A type of passive transport that allows substances to cross membranes with the assistance of special transport proteins.
Example:
Substances are transported across cell membranes by means of protein carrier molecules during Facilitated Diffusion.
Channel Protein
Definition:
A protein that allows the transport of specific substances across a cell membrane.
Example:
There are many different types of Channel Proteins in your body, and each one will only let specific types of molecules pass through.
Carrier Protein
Definition:
It facilitates the diffusion of different molecules.
Example:
Carrier Proteins transport small molecules (other proteins) through biological membranes.
Osmosis
Definition:
A process in which a fluid passes through a semipermeable membrane, moving from an area in which a solute is present in low concentrations to an area in which the solute is present in high concentrations.
Example:
Plants use osmosis to absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
H2O
Definition:
A transparent fluid which forms the world’s streams, lakes, oceans and rain, and is the major constituent of the fluids of living things.
Example:
H2O is something I drink everyday.
Solution
Definition:
A liquid mixture in which the minor component (the solute) is uniformly distributed within the major component (the solvent).
Example:
Solutions are used in experiments a lot.
Solute
Definition:
The minor component in a solution, dissolved in the solvent.
Example:
An example of a solute is salt being poured into water.
Solvent
Definition:
The liquid in which a solute is dissolved to form a solution.
Example:
Without a solvent, there could be no solution.
Hypertonic
Definition:
When the concentration of solutes is greater outside the cell than inside it.
Example:
In a Hypertonic solution, the cells will shrivel up.
Hypotonic
Definition:
When the concentration of solutes is greater inside the cell than outside of it.
Example:
In a Hypotonic solution, the cells will swell and then explode.
Isotonic
Definition:
When the concentration of solutes is the same both inside and outside of the cell.
Example:
In an Isotonic solution, the cells would stay the same.
Tonicity
Definition:
The state of a solution in respect of osmotic pressure.
Example:
Tonicity has three classifications; hypertonicity, hypotonicity and isotonicity.
Plasmolysis
Definition:
Contraction of the protoplast of a plant cell as a result of loss of water from the cell.
Example:
Plasmolysis can happen in extreme conditions.
Plasmoptysis
Definition:
The bursting forth of protoplasm from a cell through rupture of the cell wall.
Example:
This occurs when water rushes rapidly into the cell.
Flaccid
Definition:
Drooping or inelastic through lack of water.
Example:
Flaccid cells can cause damage.
Turgid
Definition:
A plant cell whose vacuole contains the maximum amount of water.
Example:
A turgid cell is not shriveled.
Active Transport
Definition:
The movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane into a region of higher concentration, assisted by enzymes and requiring energy.
Example:
Active transport requires work and energy, while passive transport does not.
Protein Pump
Definition:
Functions to pump out or in solutes or ions from a low concentration region to high concentration region.
Example:
Protein pumps help during active transport.
Exocytosis
Definition:
A process by which the contents of a cell vacuole are released to the exterior through fusion of the vacuole membrane with the cell membrane.
Example:
In exocytosis, materials are exported outside the cell via secretory vesicles.
Endocytosis
Definition:
The taking in of matter by a living cell by invagination of its membrane to form a vacuole.
Example:
Endocytosis requires ATP.
Phagocytosis
Definition:
The process by which a cell ingests microorganisms, other cells, and foreign particles.
Example:
The immune system response also involves a process called phagocytosis.
Pinocytosis
Definition:
The transport of fluid into a cell by means of local infoldings by the cell membrane so that a tiny vesicle or sac forms around each droplet, which is then taken into the interior of the cytoplasm.
Example:
Pincytosis occurs in many types of cells of mulicellular organisms.
Photosynthesis
Definition:
The complex process by which carbon dioxide, water, and certain inorganic salts are converted into carbohydrates by green plants, algae, and certain bacteria, using energy from the sun and chlorophyll.
Example:
Photosynthesis releases oxygen, which we need to breathe.
Photon
Definition:
A quantum of electromagnetic radiation.
Example:
When an atom drops back to a lower energy level, it emits a photon.
Solar Energy
Definition:
Energy derived from the sun in the form of solar radiation.
Example:
Some people have converted to solar energy as a way to provide electricity for their homes.
Chemical Energy
Definition:
Energy liberated by a chemical reaction or absorbed in the formation of a chemical compound.
Example:
Chemical energy may be released during a chemical reaction, often in the form of heat.
Calvin Cycle
Definition:
A series of chemical reactions that occurs as part of the dark reactions of photosynthesis, in which carbon is broken away from gaseous carbon dioxide and fixed as organic carbon in compounds that are ultimately used to make sugars and starch as food.
Example:
The Calvin Cycle forms part of the dark reactions.
Light Reaction
Definition:
Any of the chemical reactions that take place during the first stage of photosynthesis and require the presence of light.
Example:
Light reactions produce ATP.
Dark Reaction
Definition:
The phase of photosynthesis, not requiring light, in which carbohydrates are synthesized from carbon dioxide.
Example:
The dark reactions can occur in darkness or in light.
Glucose
Definition:
A monosaccharide sugar found in plant and animal tissues.
Example:
Your brain requires two things to survive: oxygen and glucose.
Stomata
Definition:
One of the tiny openings in the epidermis of a plant through which gases and water vapor pass.
Example:
As temperature increases, plants close their stomata to reduce water loss, so growth is slowed.
Guard Cell
Definition:
One of the paired cells in the epidermis of a plant that control the opening and closing of a stoma of a leaf.
Example:
Guard cells have chloroplasts and conduct photosynthesis.
Respiration
Definition:
The process by which organisms exchange gases with the environment.
Example:
Oxygen drives the process of respiration, which provides our cells with energy.
Aerobic Respiration
Definition:
A type of respiration in which oxygen is taken in and carbon dioxide and water are produced.
Example:
In aerobic respiration, oxygen serves as a “final electron acceptor”.
Glycolysis
Definition:
The process in cell metabolism by which carbohydrates and sugars are broken down, producing ATP and pyruvic acid.
Example:
Most cancer cells use glycolysis to power themselves.
Kreb’s Cycle/Citric Acid Cycle
Definition:
A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidation of acetate derived from carbohydrates, fats and proteins into carbon dioxide and chemical energy.
Example:
We learned about the Kreb’s Cycle in a video.
Electron Transport Chain
Definition:
Final stage of aerobic respiration leading to the forming of ATP in the inner membrane of the mitochondrion.
Example:
Electron transport chains are used for extracting energy via redox reactions from sunlight in photosynthesis.
Pyruvate
Definition:
An ester or salt of pyruvic acid.
Example:
Pyruvate kinase deficiency is found in people of all ethnic backgrounds.
NADH
Definition:
A coenzyme found in all living cells.
Example:
NADH can be synthesized from simple building-blocks from the amino acids tryptophan or aspartic acid.
FADH
Definition:
A redox cofactor involved in several important reactions in metabolism.
Example:
FADH can exist in two different redox states, which it converts between by accepting or donating electrons.
Anaerobic Respiration
Definition:
A form of incomplete intracellular breakdown of sugar or other organic compounds in the absence of oxygen that releases energy.
Example:
Anaerobic respiration occurs in some yeasts and bacteria and in muscle when exercise is strenuous and there is not enough oxygen.
Fermentation
Definition:
The process by which complex organic compounds are broken down by the action of enzymes into simpler compounds without the use of oxygen.
Example:
The process of fermentation in the preparation of wine, vinegar, beer and bread was known and practiced in prehistoric times.
Lactate
Definition:
A salt or ester of lactic acid; a product of fermentation and is produced during cellular respiration as glucose is broken down.
Example:
Carbs break down into lactic acid in your muscles, which becomes lactate in the blood.
Alcohol
Definition:
Any of a large number of colorless, flammable organic compounds that contain the hydroxyl group (OH) and that form esters with acids.
Example:
Like ethanol, butanol is an alcohol.
Yeast
Definition:
Any of various small, single-celled fungi of the phylum Ascomycota that reproduce by fission or budding and are capable of fermenting carbohydrates into alcohol and carbon dioxide.
Example:
Without yeast, bread would not rise.
