Term | Definition |
Archea | The domain of living organisms that excludes the Bacteria and Eukarya |
Bacteria | The domain of living organisms that includes organisms not classified as Archaea or Eukarya |
Binomial Nomenclature | The method of naming that uses two names to refer to an organism |
Plasma Membrane | The phospholipid bilayers with proteins that surround the eukaryotic cell cytoplasm |
Carl Woese | developed the three domain system of taxonomy |
Cell Membrane | A thin bilayer of phospholipids and proteins that surrunds the prokaryotic cell cytoplasm |
Cell Nucleus | A membrane-enclosed organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains most of the cell’s genetic material |
Chromosome | A structure in the nucleoid or cell nucleus that carries hereditary information in the form of genes |
Class | A category of related organisms consisting of one or more orders |
Cytoplasm | The complex of chemicals and structures within a cell; in plant and animal cells excluding the nucleus |
Darkfield Microscopy | An optical system on the light microscope that scatters light such that the specimen appears white on a dark background |
Domain | The most inclusive taxonomic level of classification; consists of the Archea, Bacteria and Eukarya |
Eukarya | The taxonomic domain encompassing all eukaryotic organisms |
Eukaryote | An organism that contains a membrane-bound nucleus |
Family | A category of related organisms consisting of one or more orders |
Fluorescence Microscopy | An optical system on the light microscope that uses ultraviolet light to excite dye-containing objects to fluoresce |
Genus | a rank in the classification system of organisms composed of one or more species |
Kingdom | The second highest taxonomic rank below domain Eukarya that is divided into smaller groups called phyla |
Light Microscope | An instrument that uses visible light and a system of glass lenses to produce a magnified image of an object |
Micrometer | A unit of measurement equivalent to one millionth of a meter |
Nanometer | A unit of measurement equivalent to one billionth of a meter |
Nucleoid | The chromosomal region of a prokaryotic cell |
Order | A category of related organisms consisting of one or more families |
Organelles | Specialized compartments in eukaryotic cells that have a particular function |
Phylum | A category of related organisms consisting of one or more classes |
Prokaryote | A microorganism composed of single cells having a single chromosome but no cell nucleus or membrane-bound compartments |
Ribosomes | Organelles in the cytoplasm of cells that where proteins are made |
Scanning Electron Microscope | The type of electron microscope that allows electrons to scan across an object, generating an three-dimensional image of the object |
Species | The fundamental rank in the classification system of organisms |
Taxonomy | The science dealing with the systemized arrangements of related living things in categories |
Three Domain System | The classification scheme placing all living organisms intp one of three groupsabsed, in part, on ribosomal RNA sequences |
Transmission Electron Microscope | The type of electron microscope that allows electrons to pass through the object, resulting in a detailed view of the object’s structure |
Ultrastructure | The detailed structure of a cell, virus, or other object when viewed with the electron microscope |