Term | Definition |
Cytology | A branch of biology that studies the structure and function of plant and animal cells. |
Cell | The basic unit of structure & function in all living things. |
Organelle | The structures inside the cell that act as specialized organs |
Organism | Refers to any individual living thing that can react to stimuli, reproduce, grow, and maintain homeostasis |
Unicellular | Single celled organism |
Multicellular | Having or consisting of many cells or more than one cell to perform all vital functions. |
Prokaryotic | A type of cell lacking a membrane-enclosed nucleus and other membrane-enclosed organelles; found only in the domains Bacteria and Archaea. |
Prokaryotes | Cells that have genetic material that is NOT contained in a nucleus |
Eukaroytic | A type of cell that has a membrane-enclosed nucleus and other membrane-enclosed organelles. All organisms except bacteria and archaea are composed of eukaryotic cells. |
Eukaryotes | Cells that contain a nucleus in which their genetic material is separated from the rest of the cell. |
Cell theory | All living things are composed of cells. Cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things. New cells are produced from existing cells. |
Virus | a small infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of other organisms. |
Tissues | Any of the distinct types of material of which animals or plants are made, consisting of specialized cells and their products. |
Organs | A group of tissues in a living organism that have been adapted to perform a specific function. |
Diffusion/Passive transport | The diffusion of particles or substances across the cell membrane without the use of energy. |
Osmosis | Diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane. |
Active transport | Energy requiring process that moves material across the cell membrane against a concentration gradient. For example: from a lower concentration to a higher concentration. |
Semi-permeable | Especially allowing the passage of a solvent but not of certain solutes. |
Phagocytosis | Cellular eating |
Pinocytosis | Cellular drinking |