Cells Flashcards
an instrument for viewing small objects
microscope
the smallest unit of life.
cells
instrument for viewing very small objects
light 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.
electron microscopes
describes a microscope through which the specimen is seen using one eye only
monocular
a microscope with two eyepieces
binocular
describes a microscope through which the specimen is viewed using both eyes
stereo
the number of times the image of an object has been enlarged using a lens or lens system
magnification
describes an organism having only one cell
unicellular
having many cells
multi cellular
a length of one millionth of a metre
micrometre
a unit of measurement equal to one billionth of a metre
nanometre
a rapidly developing field that includes studying and investigating cells and other objects of the smallest dimensions
nanotechnology
organism classified as belonging to the Prokaryotae kingdom
Prokaryotes
member of the group of organisms that has a membrane around the nucleus in each of their cells
eukaryote
structure that encloses the contents of a cell and allows the movement of some materials in and out
cell membrane
the fluid found inside cells
cytosol
small structures within a cell in which proteins such as enzymes are made
ribosomes
the jelly-like material inside a cell.
cytoplasm
the chemical reactions occurring within an organism that enable the organism to use energy and grow and repair cells
metabolism
reproduction by the division of an organism (usually a single cell) into two new organisms
binary fission
small rod-shaped organelles that supply energy to other parts of the cell
mitochondria
oval-shaped organelle found only in plant cells
chloroplasts
the chemical reaction involving oxygen that moves the energy in glucose into the compound ATP
cellular respiration
the food-making process in plants that takes place in chloroplasts within cells
photosynthesis
the green-coloured chemical in plants that absorbs the light energy used in photosynthesis to make food from carbon dioxide and water
chlorophyll
central part of an atom, made up of protons and neutrons
nucleus
tiny, thread-like structure inside the nucleus of a cell
chromosomes
the chemical substance found in all living things that encodes the genetic information of an organism
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
cell division process that results in new cells with the same number of chromosomes as the original cell
mitosis
identical copy
clones
the process where the cytoplasm of a cell divides to form two daughter cells
cytokinesis
disease that can be transferred from one organism to another
infectious diseases
disease that cannot be transferred from one organism to another
non-infectious diseases
substance derived from a micro-organism and used to kill bacteria in the body
antibiotics
chemical used to kill bacteria on surfaces and non-living objects
disinfectants
mild disinfectant used on body tissue to kill microbes
antiseptics
describes an antiseptic that kills bacteria
bactericidal
describes an antiseptic that stops bacteria from growing or dividing but doesn’t kill them
bacteriostatic
type of tissue that transports sugars made in the leaves to other parts of a plant
phloem
transport of materials, such as water and glucose, in plants
translocation
pipelines for the flow of water up plants
xylem vessels
a hard substance in the walls of dead xylem cells that make up the tubes carrying water up plant stems
lignin
small openings mainly on the lower surface of leaves
stomata
movement of water through a plant as a result of loss of water from the leaves
transpiration stream
groups of xylem and phloem vessels within plant stems
vascular bundles
loss of water from plant leaves through their stomata
transpiration
cells on either side of a stoma that work together to control the opening and closing of the stoma
guard cells
droop. Plant stems and leaves wilt when there is insufficient water in their cells.
wilt
sacs within a cell used to store food and wastes
vacuoles
describes cells that are not firm due to loss of water
flaccid
describes something that is firm
turgid
outermost layer of the skin
epidermis
the medical name for the deeper part of the skin
dermis
special cells that detect energy and convert it to electrical energy that is sent to the brain
receptors
tiny, coiled tube in the skin through which water and salt are removed from the body, helping to control body temperature
sweat glands
small opening in the skin. Perspiration reaches the surface of the skin through pores.
pores
change state from a liquid to a gas. Evaporation occurs only from the surface of a liquid.
evaporates
a disease resulting in the uncontrolled growth of body cells, forming tumours
cancer
an abnormal growth
tumour
describes a tumour that does not spread to other parts of the body
benign
describes a type of tumour that damages cells and can spread to other parts of the body
malignant
