Ch.4 Flashcards
Cell theory
The theory that all living things are composed of cells and that all cells come from other cells
Cell wall
A protective layer external to the plasma membrane in plant cells, bacteria, fungi, and some protists; protects the cell and helps maintain its shape
Cellular metabilism
All the chemical activities of a cell
Central vacuole
In a plant cell, a large membranous sac with diverse roles in growth and the storage of chemicals and wastes
Centrosome
The region of a duplicated chromosome where two sister chromatids are joined (often appearing as a narrow “waist”) and where spindle microtubules attach during mitosis and meiosis. The centromere divides at the onset of anaphase during mitosis and anaphase II during meiosis
Chloroplast
An organelle found in plants and algae that absorbs sunlight and uses it to drive the synthesis of organic compounds (sugars) from carbon dioxide and water
Chromatin
The complex of DNA and proteins that makes up eukaryotic chromosomes; often used to refer to the diffuse, very extended form taken by chromosomes when a cell is not dividing
Chromosome
A gene-carrying structure found in the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell and most visible during mitosis and meiosis; also, the main gene-carrying structure of a prokaryotic cell
Cilium (Cilia)
A short cellular appendage specialized for locomotion or moving fluid past the cell, formed from a core of nine outer doublet microtubules and two single microtubules (the “9 + 2” arrangement) covered by the cell’s plasma membrane
Cytoplasm
The contents of a eukaryotic cell between the plasma membrane and the nucleus; consists of a semifluid medium and organelles; can also refer to the interior of a prokaryotic cell
Cytoskeleton
A network of protein fibers in the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell; includes microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules
Cytosol
The semifluid portion of the cytoplasm
Electron microscope (EM)
A microscope that uses magnets to focus an electron beam through, or onto the surface of, a specimen. An electron microscope achieves a hundredfold greater resolution than a light microscope
Endomembrane system
A network of membranes inside and surrounding a eukaryotic cell, related either through direct physical contact or by the transfer of membranous vesicles
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
An extensive membranous network in a eukaryotic cell, continuous with the outer nuclear membrane and composed of ribosome-studded (rough) and ribosome-free (smooth) regions. See also rough ER; smooth ER
Endosymbiont theory
The theory that mitochondria and chloroplasts originated as prokaryotic cells engulfed by an ancestral eukaryotic cell. The engulfed cell and its host cell then evolved into a single organism
Eukaryotic cell
A type of cell that has a membrane-enclosed nucleus and membrane-enclosed organelles. All organisms except bacteria and archaea are composed of eukaryotic cells
Extracellular matrix (ECM)
The meshwork surrounding animal cells; consists of glycoproteins and polysaccharides synthesized and secreted by cells
Flagellum (Flaggela)
A long cellular appendage specialized for locomotion. The flagella of prokaryotes and eukaryotes differ in both structure and function. Like cilia, eukaryotic flagella have a “9 + 2” arrangement of microtubules covered by the cell’s plasma membrane
glycoprotein
The main components of the ECM, proteins bonded with carbohydrates