Chapter 1 Vocab Flashcards
One of the two divisions of prokaryotes, often found in hostile environments such as hot springs or concentrate brine.
Archaea
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 or prokaryotes also include archaea, which are only distantly related.
Bacteria
The basic unit from which a living organism is made; consists of an aqueous solution of organic molecules enclosed by a membrane.
Cell
Specialized organelle in algae and plants that contains chlorophyll and serves as the site in which photosynthesis takes place.
Chloroplast
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.
Chromosome
Contents of a cell that are contained within its plasma membrane but, in the case of eukaryotic cells, contained outside the nucleus.
Cytoplasm
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.
Cytoskeleton
Contents of the main compartment of the cytoplasm, excluding membrane-enclosed organelles such as endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. The cell fraction remaining after membranes, cytoskeletal components, and other organelles have been removed.
cytosol
Double-stranded polynucleotide formed form 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.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
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.
Electron Microscope
