Cell Biology

Microtubules periodically contract to force this excess water out of the cell, regulating the cell's osmotic balance.

cytoplasm -- All the contents of a cell, including the plasma membrane,but not including the nucleus.

cytoskeleton -- Integrated system of molecules within eukaryotic cells which provides them with shape, internal spatial organization, motility, and may assist in communication with other cells and the environment.

Microtubules periodically contract to force this excess water out of the cell, regulating the cell's osmotic balance.

cytoplasm -- All the contents of a cell, including the plasma membrane,but not including the nucleus.

cytoskeleton -- Integrated system of molecules within eukaryotic cells which provides them with shape, internal spatial organization, motility, and may assist in communication with other cells and the environment.

A dikaryotic individual is called a dikaryon.

diploid -- Having two different sets of chromosomes in the same nucleus of each cell.

Plants are known for their cell walls of cellulose, as are the green algae and certain protists, while fungi have cell walls of chitin.

chloroplast -- A chlorophyll-containing plastid found in algal and green plant cells.

chromosome -- Linear piece of eukaryotic DNA, often bound by specialized proteins known as histones.

coenocytic -- Condition in which an organism consists of filamentous cells with large central vacuoles, and whose nuclei are not partitioned into separate...

The cell consists primarily of an outer plasma membrane, which separates it from the environment; the genetic material (DNA), which encodes heritable information for the maintainance of life; and the cytoplasm, a heterogeneous assemblage of ions, molecules, and fluid.

cell cycle -- Complete sequence of steps which must be performed by a cell in order to replicate itself, as seen from mitotic event to mitotic event.

Plants are known for their cell walls of cellulose, as are the green algae and certain protists, while fungi have cell walls of chitin.

chloroplast -- A chlorophyll-containing plastid found in algal and green plant cells.

chromosome -- Linear piece of eukaryotic DNA, often bound by specialized proteins known as histones.

coenocytic -- Condition in which an organism consists of filamentous cells with large central vacuoles, and whose nuclei are not partitioned into separate...

Compare with haploid.

double membrane -- In mitochondria and plastids, there is a two-layered membrane which surrounds the organelle.

Plants are known for their cell walls of cellulose, as are the green algae and certain protists, while fungi have cell walls of chitin.

chloroplast -- A chlorophyll-containing plastid found in algal and green plant cells.

chromosome -- Linear piece of eukaryotic DNA, often bound by specialized proteins known as histones.

coenocytic -- Condition in which an organism consists of filamentous cells with large central vacuoles, and whose nuclei are not partitioned into separate...

For this reason, they have become essential tools of genetic engineers.

capsid -- The protein "shell" of a free virus particle.

cell -- Fundamental structural unit of all life.

Plants are known for their cell walls of cellulose, as are the green algae and certain protists, while fungi have cell walls of chitin.

chloroplast -- A chlorophyll-containing plastid found in algal and green plant cells.

chromosome -- Linear piece of eukaryotic DNA, often bound by specialized proteins known as histones.

coenocytic -- Condition in which an organism consists of filamentous cells with large central vacuoles, and whose nuclei are not partitioned into separate...

amoeboid -- Having no definite shape to the cell, able to change shape.

amphiesma -- The outer covering of a dinoflagellate, consisting of several membrane layers.

aperture -- Small opening, for example the opening in the test of a foram.

bacteriophage -- Virus which infects and destroys a bacterial host.

Also called a plasma membrane or plasmalemma.

cell wall -- Rigid structure deposited outside the cell membrane.

amoeboid -- Having no definite shape to the cell, able to change shape.

amphiesma -- The outer covering of a dinoflagellate, consisting of several membrane layers.

aperture -- Small opening, for example the opening in the test of a foram.

bacteriophage -- Virus which infects and destroys a bacterial host.

Plants are known for their cell walls of cellulose, as are the green algae and certain protists, while fungi have cell walls of chitin.

chloroplast -- A chlorophyll-containing plastid found in algal and green plant cells.

chromosome -- Linear piece of eukaryotic DNA, often bound by specialized proteins known as histones.

coenocytic -- Condition in which an organism consists of filamentous cells with large central vacuoles, and whose nuclei are not partitioned into separate...

Plants are known for their cell walls of cellulose, as are the green algae and certain protists, while fungi have cell walls of chitin.

chloroplast -- A chlorophyll-containing plastid found in algal and green plant cells.

chromosome -- Linear piece of eukaryotic DNA, often bound by specialized proteins known as histones.

coenocytic -- Condition in which an organism consists of filamentous cells with large central vacuoles, and whose nuclei are not partitioned into separate...

Plants are known for their cell walls of cellulose, as are the green algae and certain protists, while fungi have cell walls of chitin.

chloroplast -- A chlorophyll-containing plastid found in algal and green plant cells.

chromosome -- Linear piece of eukaryotic DNA, often bound by specialized proteins known as histones.

coenocytic -- Condition in which an organism consists of filamentous cells with large central vacuoles, and whose nuclei are not partitioned into separate...

Microtubules periodically contract to force this excess water out of the cell, regulating the cell's osmotic balance.

cytoplasm -- All the contents of a cell, including the plasma membrane,but not including the nucleus.

cytoskeleton -- Integrated system of molecules within eukaryotic cells which provides them with shape, internal spatial organization, motility, and may assist in communication with other cells and the environment.

Most metazoans and plants are diploid.

Plants are known for their cell walls of cellulose, as are the green algae and certain protists, while fungi have cell walls of chitin.

chloroplast -- A chlorophyll-containing plastid found in algal and green plant cells.

chromosome -- Linear piece of eukaryotic DNA, often bound by specialized proteins known as histones.

coenocytic -- Condition in which an organism consists of filamentous cells with large central vacuoles, and whose nuclei are not partitioned into separate...

amoeboid -- Having no definite shape to the cell, able to change shape.

amphiesma -- The outer covering of a dinoflagellate, consisting of several membrane layers.

aperture -- Small opening, for example the opening in the test of a foram.

bacteriophage -- Virus which infects and destroys a bacterial host.

Some phages, however, will incorporate their DNA into that of their host, and remain dormant for an extended period.

Unlike true multicellular organisms, the individual cells retain their separate identities, and usually, their own membranes and cell walls.

contractile vacuole -- In many protists, a specialized vacuole with associated channels designed to collect excess water in the cell.