Chapter 1 Vocab

Question 1

archaea

Answer 1

One of the two divisions of prokaryotes, often found in hostile environments such as hot springs or concentrated brine.

Question 2

bacteria

Answer 2

One of the two divisions of prokaryotes; some species cause disease. The term is sometimes used to refer to any prokaryotic microorganism, although the world of prokaryotes also includes archea, which are only distantly related.

Question 3

cell

Answer 3

The basic unit from which a living organism is made; consists of an aqueous solution of organic molecules enclosed by a membrane.

Question 4

chloroplast

Answer 4

Specialized organelle in algae and plants that contains chlorophyll and serves as the site in which photosynthesis takes place.

Question 5

chromosome

Answer 5

Long, threadlike structure composed of DNA and proteins that carries the genetic information of an organism; becomes visible as a distinct entity when a plant or animal cell prepares to divide.

Question 6

cytoplasm

Answer 6

Contents of a cell that are contained within its plasma membrane but, in the case of eukaryotic cells, contained outside the nucleus.

Question 7

cytoskeleton

Answer 7

System of protein filaments in the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell that gives the cell shape and the capacity for directed movement. Its most abundant components are actin filaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments.

Question 8

cytosol

Answer 8

Contents of the main compartment of the cytoplasm, excluding membrane-enclosed organelles. The cell fraction remaining after membranes, cytoskeletal components, and other organelles haven been removed

Question 9

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

Answer 9

Double-stranded polynucleotide formed from two separate chains of covalently linked deoxyribonucleotide units. It serves as the cell’s store of genetic information that is transmitted from generation to generation

Question 10

electron microscope

Answer 10

Instrument that illuminates a specimen using beams of electrons to reveal and magnify the structures of very small objects, such as organelles and large molecules

Question 11

eukaryote

Answer 11

An organism whose cells have a distinct nucleus and cytoplasm

Question 12

evolution

Answer 12

Process of gradual modification and adaptation that occurs in living organisms over generations

Question 13

florescence microscope

Answer 13

Instrument used to visualize a specimen that has been labeled with a fluorescent dye; samples are illuminated with a wavelength of light that excites the dye, causing it to fluoresce.

Question 14

genome

Answer 14

The total genetic information carried by all the chromosomes of a cell or organism.

Question 15

homologous

Answer 15

Describes genes, chromosomes, or any structures that are similar because of their common evolutionary origin. Can also refer to similarities between protein sequences or nucleic acid sequences.

Question 16

micrometer

Answer 16

10^-6

Question 17

light microscope

Answer 17

A light microscope utilizes a focused beam of visible light and is used to examine cells and organelles

Question 18

mitochondrion (plural mitochondria)

Answer 18

Membrane-enclosed organelle, about the size of a bacterium, that carries out oxidative phosphorylation and produces most of the ATP in eukaryotic cells.

Question 19

model organism

Answer 19

A living thing selected for intensive study as a representative of a large group of species. Examples include mice, yeast, and e. coli (representing mammals, unicellular eukaryotes, and bacteria respectively)

Question 20

nucleus

Answer 20

In biology:

The prominent, rounded structure that contains the DNA of a eukaryotic cell.

Question 21

organelle

Answer 21

A discrete structure or subcompartment of a eukaryotic cell that is specialized to carry out a particular function. Examples include mitochondria.

Question 22

photosynthesis

Answer 22

The process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria use the energy of sunlight to drive the synthesis of organic molecules from carbon dioxide and water.

Question 23

plasma membrane

Answer 23

The protein-containing lipid bilayer that surrounds a living cell.

Question 24

prokaryote

Answer 24

Major category of living cells distinguished by the absence of a nucleus. Include archaea and bacteroa

Question 25

protein

Answer 25

Polymer built from amino acids that provides cells with their shape and structure and performs most of their activities.

Question 26

protozoan

Answer 26

A free-living, nonphotosynthetic, single-celled, motile eukaryote.

Question 27

ribosome

Answer 27

Large macromolecular complex, composed of ribosomal RNAs and ribosomal proteins, that translates messenger RNA into protein.

Question 28

RNA (ribonucleic acid)

Answer 28

Molecule produced by the transcription of DNA; usually single-stranded, it is a polynucleotide composed of covalently linked ribonucleotide subunits. Serves a variety of structural, catalytic, and regulatory functions in cells.