Infectious
A disease that is caused by microbes (germs) and can be passed from one organism to another.
Infectious agent
An organism that causes disease. Ex. bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungus.
Cell
The smallest structural unit, enclosed by a membrane, that makes up all living organisms. Cells are considered the most basic units of life.
Cell membrane
The structure that separates the cell from its outside environment and controls what enters the cell.
Chloroplast
A green colored organelle that is the site of photosynthesis within the cells of plants and algae.
Cytoplasm
The material that fills much of the inside of cells, and the location of many of the reactions that take place in the cell.
Nucleus
The part of the cell that contains the genes. This is the control center of the cell.
Nuclear membrane
The structure that separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm in a cell.
Organelles
The small parts found inside a cell, often surrounded by a separate membrane, that perform a specific function.
Disease
A breakdown in the structure and function of a living organism
Microbe
A microscopic cellular organism or a virus, some of which can cause disease. Ex: Bacteria, fungus (AKA germs)
Multicellular
An organism that is made of more than one cell
Unicellular
Describing single-celled organisms, including bacteria and some protists
Eukaryote
Organisms that have cells that contain a nucleus. Example: Plant and animal cells
Prokaryote
Organisms whose cells do not have a nucleus. The DNA of prokaryotes is located in the cytoplasm of the cell. Example: Bacteria