cells Flashcards
microscope
an instrument for viewing small objects
cells
the smallest unit of life. Cells are the building blocks of living things.
light microscopes
instrument for viewing very small objects. A light microscope can magnify things up to 1500 times.
light microscopes
instrument for viewing very small objects. A light microscope can magnify things up to 1500 times.
electron microscopes
instrument for viewing very small objects. An electron microscope is much more powerful than a light microscope and can magnify things up to a million times.
monocular
describes a microscope through which the specimen is seen using one eye only
binocular
a microscope with two eyepieces, so you use both eyes to look at the object
stereo
describes a microscope through which the specimen is viewed using both eyes
magnification
the number of times the image of an object has been enlarged using a lens or lens system. For example, a magnification of two means the object has been enlarged to twice its actual size.
unicellular
describes an organism having only one cell
multicellular
having many cells. Most plants and animals are multicellular.
micrometre
a length of one millionth of a metre
nanometre
a unit of measurement equal to one billionth of a metre
nanotechnology
a rapidly developing field that includes studying and investigating cells and other objects of the smallest dimensions
Prokaryotes
organism classified as belonging to the Prokaryotae kingdom
eukaryote
member of the group of organisms that has a membrane around the nucleus in each of their cells
binary fission
reproduction by the division of an organism (usually a single cell) into two new organisms
Animalia
the kingdom of organisms that have cells with a membrane around the nucleus, but no cell wall, large vacuole or chloroplasts
plantae
the kingdom of organisms that have cells with a membrane around the nucleus, cell wall, large vacuole and chloroplasts, commonly called plants
fungi
the kingdom of organisms, such as mushrooms and moulds, that help to decompose dead or decaying matter
Protoctista
the kingdom of organisms, including algae and protozoans, that do not fit into other groups
Prokaryotae
the kingdom of organisms that consist of single cells with a nucleus not surrounded by a membrane or a cell wall, commonly called bacteria
mitochondria
small rod-shaped organelles that supply energy to other parts of the cell. They are usually too small to be seen with light microscopes. Singular = mitochondrion.
chloroplasts
oval-shaped organelle found only in plant cells. Chloroplasts contain the pigment chlorophyll. They are the ‘factories’ in which carbon dioxide and water are changed by sunlight and water into food by the process of photosynthesis.
cellular respiration
the chemical reaction involving oxygen that moves the energy in glucose into the compound ATP. The body is able to use the energy contained in ATP.
cellular respiration
the chemical reaction involving oxygen that moves the energy in glucose into the compound ATP. The body is able to use the energy contained in ATP.