Essential Cell Biology Chapter 1
archaea - ANS-One of the two divisions of prokaryote, often found in hostile environments such
as hot springs or concentrated brine.
bacteria - ANS-Commonly used name for any prokaryotic organism, but more precisely refers to
the eubacteria, the "true bacteria," one of the three major domains of life. Most are single-celled
organisms. Some species of bacteria cause disease.
cell - ANS-The basic unit from which living organisms are made, consisting of an aqueous
solution of organic molecules enclosed by a membrane. All cells arise from existing cells,
usually by a process of division.
chloroplast - ANS-Specialized organelle in algae and plants that contains chlorophyll and in
which photosynthesis takes place.
chromosome - ANS-Long threadlike structure composed of DNA and associated proteins that
carries the genetic information of an organism. Especially visible when plant and animal cells
undergo mitosis and meiosis.
cytoplasm - ANS-Contents of a cell that are contained within its plasma membrane but, in the
case of eukaryotic cells, outside the nucleus.
cytoskeleton - ANS-System of protein filaments in the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell that gives
the cell shape and the capacity for directed movement. Its most abundant components are actin
filaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments.
cytosol - ANS-Contents of the main compartment of the cytoplasm, excluding
membrane-enclosed organelles such as endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. The cell
fraction remaining after membranes, cytoskeletal components, and other organelles have been
removed.
DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid) - ANS-Double-stranded polynucleotide formed when two separate
chains of covalently linked deoxyribonucleotide units. It serves as the cell's store of genetic
information that is transmitted from generation to generation.
eucaryote - ANS-Living organism composed of one or more cells with a distinct nucleus and
cytoplasm. Includes all forms of life except archaea and bacteria (the prokaryotes) and viruses.
evolution - ANS-The gradual change in living organisms taking place over generations that
result in new species being formed.
archaea - ANS-One of the two divisions of prokaryote, often found in hostile environments such
as hot springs or concentrated brine.
bacteria - ANS-Commonly used name for any prokaryotic organism, but more precisely refers to
the eubacteria, the "true bacteria," one of the three major domains of life. Most are single-celled
organisms. Some species of bacteria cause disease.
cell - ANS-The basic unit from which living organisms are made, consisting of an aqueous
solution of organic molecules enclosed by a membrane. All cells arise from existing cells,
usually by a process of division.
chloroplast - ANS-Specialized organelle in algae and plants that contains chlorophyll and in
which photosynthesis takes place.
chromosome - ANS-Long threadlike structure composed of DNA and associated proteins that
carries the genetic information of an organism. Especially visible when plant and animal cells
undergo mitosis and meiosis.
cytoplasm - ANS-Contents of a cell that are contained within its plasma membrane but, in the
case of eukaryotic cells, outside the nucleus.
cytoskeleton - ANS-System of protein filaments in the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell that gives
the cell shape and the capacity for directed movement. Its most abundant components are actin
filaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments.
cytosol - ANS-Contents of the main compartment of the cytoplasm, excluding
membrane-enclosed organelles such as endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. The cell
fraction remaining after membranes, cytoskeletal components, and other organelles have been
removed.
DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid) - ANS-Double-stranded polynucleotide formed when two separate
chains of covalently linked deoxyribonucleotide units. It serves as the cell's store of genetic
information that is transmitted from generation to generation.
eucaryote - ANS-Living organism composed of one or more cells with a distinct nucleus and
cytoplasm. Includes all forms of life except archaea and bacteria (the prokaryotes) and viruses.
evolution - ANS-The gradual change in living organisms taking place over generations that
result in new species being formed.
