Prokaryotic
A type of cell or an organism whose cell does not contain a nucleus; includes bacteria and archaea
Eukaryotic
A type of cell or an organism whose cell(s) contains a nucleus; includes all plant, animal, fungus, and protist species.
Protists
A diverse group of eukaryotic organisms that are not fungi, plants, or animals
Cell
The smallest organized unit in a living thing
Organism
a living creature
Microorganism
An organism that cannot be seen without magnification
Macroorganism
An organism that can be seen without magnification
Compound LIght Microscope
A microscope that uses two lenses and light to make a specimen visible
Cell Theory
A scientific theory that describes the properties of cells as the basic unit of structure and reproduction in all organisms.
Cell Membrane
The outermost living layer of a plant or animal cell that regulates what enters and leaves the cell
Cytoplasm
The jellylike material inside a cell and surrounded by the cell membrane
Ribosomes
A cellular structure found in large numbers that produces proteins for the cell
DNA
Hereditary material that determines an organism's traits
Archaea
A domain of single celled, prokaryotic organisms that survive in extreme environments such as heat, acid, or salt
Species
A group of interbreeding organisms that share similar characteristics
Nucleus
The command center of the cell; regulates cell functions and contains the DNA
Organelle
One of many structures in a cell that performs a specific function
Wet Mound Slide
Two microscope slides, or a slide and a coverslip, with a drop of liquid and/or a specimen between them
Unicellular
An organism composed of only one cell
Multicellular
Any organism composed of two or more cells.
Zygote
The first new cell of an offspring, created wehn the sperm and egg combine
Differentiation
The process by which cells become specialized to perform a particular function
Embryo
The stage of an organism that follows fertilization and continues until birth or germination
Cell wall
The outermost, rigid, non-living layer of a plant cell
Central vacuole
A large structure found in plant cells whose function is to store materials and waste
Chlorophyll
A green pigment that traps energy from the sun (only in Plant cells)
Chloroplast
A chlorophyll containing structure found in plant cells and some single-celled organisms; its function is to produce food for the organism through a process known as photosynthesis (only in plant cells)
Endoplasmic Reticulum
A structure found in plant and animal cells that packages and moves materials around the cell, produces lipids, and breaks down different substances
Golgi Body
A folded, membrane bound organelle that functions to transport or secrete materials out of the cell.
Heterotroph
An organism that obtains energy from taking in food, like plant or animal matter
Autotroph
An organism capable of synthesizing its own food using light or chemical energy