Biology Chapter: The Cell

The smallest and most fundamental unit of life, responsible for all biological processes.

The concept that all living organisms are composed of cells, cells are the basic unit of life, and new cells arise from pre-existing cells.

A scientist who observed plant tissue under a microscope and named the small, chamber-like structures "cells", laying the groundwork for the Cell Theory.

Scientists who formally proposed the Cell Theory, stating that all living organisms are made up of cells and the cell is the basic unit of life.

The principle that all cells arise from pre-existing cells, expanding on Cell Theory.

The outer boundary of a cell that separates the cell's internal environment from its surroundings.

The gel-like substance within a cell that provides a medium for metabolic reactions.

The central organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains the genetic material.

Complex molecules made up of repeating subunits called monomers.

Sugars that combine to form polysaccharides, serving as energy sources and structural components.

The building blocks of lipids, essential for cell membranes and long-term energy storage.

Components of proteins, responsible for various functions like catalyzing reactions and transporting molecules.

Monomers of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA, responsible for storing and transmitting genetic information.

A chemical reaction that removes water to form covalent bonds between monomers, creating macromolecules.

A chemical reaction that uses water to break covalent bonds between monomers, releasing energy.

Molecules that store chemical-bond energy in a readily usable form, powering cellular processes.

A molecule that carries energy within cells, breaking down into ADP and releasing energy for processes like active transport, cell movement, and molecule synthesis.

A central carrier molecule for electrons, switching between oxidized (NAD⁺/NADP⁺) and reduced (NADH/NADPH) states in metabolic reactions. Helps with electron transfer for energy production.

Works like NAD/NADP, crucial for the citric acid cycle, capturing electrons and helping extract energy from organic molecules.

A key metabolic molecule connecting carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism, delivering acetyl groups to the citric acid cycle for energy production.

The movement of materials within cells, essential for maintaining cell organization and function; it involves two major components: vesicular trafficking and organelle contact points.

Small, membrane-bound carriers that transport molecules between cellular compartments, acting as vehicles for cargo, but not performing chemical reactions themselves.

The process of moving molecules between organelles and the plasma membrane using vesicles.

Sites where different organelles come together to exchange molecules or signals, facilitating communication and coordinated function within the cell.

The movement of membrane-bound sacs (vesicles) within a cell. This process is crucial for maintaining proper cell organization and carrying out various functions.

Specialized compartments within eukaryotic cells that have unique functions and environments. Examples include lysosomes, mitochondria, and the Golgi apparatus.

The process of keeping organelles separate within a cell, maintaining optimal environments for specific reactions and processes.

A network of protein filaments that give structure to the cell and act as 'rails' for moving vesicles and organelles.

Motor proteins that 'walk' along microtubules in the cytoskeleton, transporting vesicles to specific destinations.

Regions where membranes from different organelles come very close, allowing for direct exchange of molecules.

The process of using microscopic techniques to observe live cells in action, revealing the dynamic nature of cellular processes.

Traditional images of organelles in textbooks often fail to capture the dynamism of cellular processes. This is because those images come from cells that were preserved (fixed) for observation.

The nucleus is the control center of the cell, housing the genetic material (DNA) and regulating gene expression.

The nuclear envelope is a double membrane that surrounds the nucleus, separating it from the cytoplasm.

Nuclear pores are tiny openings in the nuclear envelope that control the movement of molecules in and out of the nucleus.

The nucleolus is a dense region within the nucleus responsible for producing ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and assembling ribosomes.

mRNA, ribosomal subunits, and enzymes are examples of molecules that move through nuclear pores.

The nucleus is dynamic, changing its organization and activity based on the cell's needs.

During DNA transcription, chromatin becomes less condensed, allowing access to the genetic material.

The nucleus is essential for cell function, controlling gene expression and regulating cellular processes.

A type of lipid with a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail. Two layers of phospholipids form the basis of the plasma membrane.

The property of the plasma membrane where the inside and outside layers have different compositions and functions.

The property of the plasma membrane where its structure is organized in a specific direction during processes like vesicle budding and fusion.

The movement of molecules across the plasma membrane without the need for energy or transport proteins.

The movement of molecules across the plasma membrane that requires energy and transport proteins.

The process by which cells take in substances from their surrounding environment, forming small membrane-bound packages called vesicles.

The process by which cells release substances from their interior into the surrounding environment using membrane-bound vesicles.