Cell – The fundamental unit of life

1. Term: Nucleus

Definition: The most important and largest cell organelle, often referred to as the "Governor of the cell" or
"Brain of the cell." It is responsible for controlling all cell activities and acts as the center of cellular
coordination. It is the carries of the heredity material of the cell.

2. Term: Nuclear Envelope

Definition: The double-membrane structure that surrounds the nucleus. It consists of two membranes
and contains nuclear pores, which regulate the transport of materials between the nucleoplasm and the
cytoplasm.

Term: Chromatin

Definition: The material composed of DNA, RNA, and proteins found within the nucleus. It appears as
an entangled mass of thread-like structures. It condenses to form chromosomes during cell division and
carries genetic information.

Term: Nucleoid

Definition:
the nuclear region of the cell may be poorly defined due to the absence of a nuclear membrane. Su
ch undefined nuclear region containing only nucleic acids is called NUCLEOID.

Term: Chromosomes

Definition: Visible rod-shaped structures found within the nucleus, particularly during cell division. They
contain DNA (Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid) and proteins, and carry the genetic information necessary for
inheritance of traits from parents to the next generation.

Term: Genes

Definition: Functional segments of DNA that encode specific traits or characteristics. Genes determine
the expression of inherited traits and play a vital role in the functioning and development of cells and
organisms.

Term: Cell Division

Definition: The process by which a cell divides into two or more daughter cells. During cell division, the
chromatin material undergoes reorganization and condenses into visible chromosomes, ensuring proper
distribution of genetic material to the daughter cells.

Term: Chromatin vs. Chromosomes

Definition: In non-dividing cells, DNA is present as chromatin material, which appears as a tangled mass
of threads. However, during cell division, the chromatin material gets organized and condensed into
visible chromosomes, facilitating efficient segregation of genetic material.

Term: Prokaryotes

Definition: Organisms whose cells lack a nuclear membrane and other membrane-bound organelles.
Prokaryotic cells are considered primitive or primary in nature. Bacteria are examples of prokaryotes.
Term: Eukaryotes

Definition: Organisms whose cells possess a distinct nucleus enclosed within a nuclear membrane.

Term: Chlorophyll in Prokaryotic Bacteria

Definition: Photosynthetic prokaryotic bacteria contain chlorophyll, a pigment essential for capturing light
energy during photosynthesis. In prokaryotes, chlorophyll is associated with membranous vesicles (bag-
like structures) rather than plastids found in eukaryotic cells.

Term: Observation without staining.

Definition: the cellular contents and structures may appear transparent or colorless. It becomes difficult
to visualize specific components or identify starch within the cells. Staining techniques that selectively
color different regions or components of cells based on their chemical composition

Term: Alternative Staining Solutions

Definition: Besides iodine solution, safranin solution or methylene blue solution can also be used to
stain cells. These staining solutions can provide different colorations, allowing for the visualization of
various cellular components.

Term: Cell Wall

Definition: A rigid outer covering present in plant cells, located outside the plasma membrane. It provides
structural support and protection to the cell. The plant cell wall is mainly composed of cellulose, a
complex substance that imparts strength to plants.

Term: Plasmolysis

Definition: The shrinkage or contraction of the cell contents away from the cell wall in a living plant cell
due to the loss of water through osmosis. Plasmolysis occurs when a plant cell is placed in a hypertonic
solution, causing water to move out of the cell.

Term: Osmosis

Definition: The movement of water molecules from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of
higher solute concentration across a semipermeable membrane, such as the plasma membrane of a cell.
Osmosis plays a crucial role in water uptake and regulation in living cells.

Term: Absorption of Water by Living Cells

Definition: Living plant cells are capable of absorbing water by osmosis. The presence of a cell wall
allows plant cells to withstand hypotonic external environments and take up water without bursting. The
cell wall exerts equal pressure against the swollen cell, maintaining cell integrity.

Term: Differences in Cellular Response to Surrounding Medium

Definition: Due to the presence of cell walls, plant, fungal, and bacterial cells can tolerate and withstand
greater changes in the surrounding medium compared to animal cells. The cell wall provides structural
support and prevents the cell from bursting under hypotonic conditions.

Term: Chemical Activities

Definition: The nucleus directs and regulates the chemical activities within a cell. It controls the synthesis
of proteins, enzymes, and other molecules essential for cellular functions, metabolism, and maintaining
homeostasis.

EXTRA INFO-

It also plays a crucial part, along with the environment, in determining the way the cell will develop and
what form it will exhibit at maturity, by directing the chemical activities of the cell.

Term: Plasma Membrane

Definition: The outermost covering of the cell that separates the cell's contents from its external
environment. It is selectively permeable, allowing certain substances to enter and exit the cell while
preventing the movement of others.

Term: Selectively Permeable Membrane

Definition: The plasma membrane is referred to as a selectively permeable membrane because it allows
certain substances to pass through while restricting the movement of others. It regulates the entry and
exit of materials based on their size, charge, and solubility.

Term: Diffusion

Definition: The spontaneous movement of a substance from an area of high concentration to an area of
low concentration. In cells, substances like carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2) can move across the
cell membrane through diffusion.

Term: Cellular Waste Excretion

Definition: Substances such as cellular waste, including CO2, accumulate in high concentrations inside
the cell. The concentration of CO2 in the cell's external environment is lower. Through diffusion, CO2
moves out of the cell from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Term: Gaseous Exchange

Definition: Diffusion plays a vital role in gaseous exchange between cells and their external environment.
Oxygen (O2) enters the cell through diffusion when the concentration of O2 inside the cell decreases.
Similarly, CO2 moves out of the cell by diffusion as its concentration inside the cell is higher than in the
external environment.

Term: Net Diffusion

Definition: The overall movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower
concentration. In the case of osmosis, the net diffusion of water occurs toward the region with a higher
solute concentration.

Term: Solute Concentration

Definition: The amount of solute dissolved in a given amount of solvent, such as water. The solute
concentration affects the direction and magnitude of water movement during osmosis.

Term: Hypotonic Solution

Definition: A solution in which the surrounding medium has a higher water concentration than the cell. In
a hypotonic solution, the cell gains water by osmosis, leading to the potential swelling or expansion of the
cell.

Term: Water Movement in Hypotonic Solution

Definition: In a hypotonic solution, water molecules freely pass across the cell membrane in both
directions. However, more water enters the cell than leaves it, resulting in a net influx of water. The cell is
likely to swell.

Term: Isotonic Solution

Definition: A solution in which the surrounding medium has the same water concentration as the cell. In
an isotonic solution, there is no net movement of water across the cell membrane, and the cell maintains
its original size.

Term: Water Movement in Isotonic Solution

Definition: In an isotonic solution, water molecules can cross the cell membrane in both directions. The
amount of water entering the cell is the same as the amount leaving it, resulting in no overall movement
of water. The cell remains the same size.

Term: Hypertonic Solution

Definition: A solution in which the surrounding medium has a lower water concentration than the cell. In
a hypertonic solution, the cell loses water by osmosis, potentially leading to the shrinkage or contraction
of the cell.

Term: Water Movement in Hypertonic Solution

Definition: In a hypertonic solution, water molecules can move across the cell membrane in both
directions. However, more water leaves the cell than enters it, resulting in a net efflux of water. The cell
will shrink.

Term: Turgor Pressure

Definition: The pressure exerted by the fluid inside a plant cell against the cell wall. Turgor pressure is
generated when water enters the cell by osmosis in a hypotonic solution, causing the cell to become
turgid and providing structural support to the plant.

Term: Structure of Plasma Membrane

Definition: The structure of the plasma membrane can only be observed using an electron microscope. It
consists of a lipid bilayer with embedded proteins, giving it a flexible and dynamic nature.

Term: Water Absorption by Plant Roots

Definition: Plant roots absorb water from the soil through osmosis. The plant cells in the root tissues
have a higher solute concentration compared to the surrounding soil, allowing water to move into the cells
by osmosis.
Term: Robert Hooke

Definition: Robert Hooke, in 1665, was the first to observe cells in a cork slice using a primitive
microscope. His observations marked the beginning of the study of cells.

Term: Leeuwenhoek

Definition: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, in 1674, made significant advancements in microscopy and
discovered free-living cells in pond water, expanding the understanding of cellular diversity.

Term: Robert Brown

Definition: Robert Brown, in 1831, discovered the nucleus within the cell, a crucial component involved in
genetic information storage and cellular control.

Term: Purkinje

Definition: Jan Evangelista Purkinje, in 1839, coined the term "protoplasm" to describe the fluid
substance present in cells, which is now understood to be the living contents of the cell.

Term: Cell Theory

Definition: The cell theory, proposed by Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann in 1838 and 1839,
respectively, states that all plants and animals are composed of cells and that the cell is the fundamental
unit of life.

Term: Virchow

Definition: Rudolf Virchow, in 1855, further expanded the cell theory by suggesting that all cells arise
from pre-existing cells.

Term: Cork

Definition: Cork is a substance derived from the bark of a tree.

Term: Cells

Definition: Robert Hooke coined the term "cells" to describe the small compartments he observed in cork
under a microscope. The term "cell" is derived from the Latin word "cella," meaning "a little room." The
term "cell" originates from the Latin word "cella," which means "a little room" or "a small enclosed space."
Robert Hooke used this term to describe the structural units he observed in cork.