BIOLOGY I

UNIT FOUR: CYTOLOGY- THE BASIS OF LIFE

Introduction

The main objective of this unit is to study cells in order to observe the complex world of these microscopic units. In this unit, students are introduced to the specific attributes of individual plant and animal cells. In addition, students will explore the complex interactions that exist among cells.

Students will examine the structure and function of both plant and animal cells. The smaller parts of the cell, called organelles, will be introduced. The students will discover how these parts work together to make the entire cell function. Movement, transport, power and control are some of the features of the cell that will be investigated. Cells in the body work together to create different levels of organization. This unit examines how these different levels are related and work together to create a functional complex organism.

The replication of our genetic code is important to the creation of proteins essential to life. Students will examine the structure of DNA and RNA, how they are duplicated and how they are used to create proteins and enzymes.

The final focus of the unit will be on cell growth and division. The various stages of mitosis and meiosis will be explored. Students will compare these two processes and examine how each plays different but essential function in various organisms.

Core Terminology

Cell

Cytology

Cell theory

Cell membrane

Cell wall

Nucleus

Eukaryote

Prokaryote

Nuclear envelope

Nucleolus

Chromosome

Cytoplasm

Organelle

Mitochondria

Choloroplast

Ribosome

ER

Golgi body

Lysosome

Vacuole

Plastid

Cytoskeleton

Diffusion

Osmosis

Facilitated diffusion

Active transport

Specialization

Tissue

Organ

Organ system

Concentration gradient

Channel protein

Endocytosis

Exocytosis

Hypertonic

Hypotonic

Isotonic

Photosynthesis

Autotroph

Heterotroph

Chlorophyll

ATP

Light reactions

Dark reactions

Electron transport

Calvin cycle

Glycolysis

Respiration

Aerobic

Anaerobic

Krebs cycle

Fermentation

C₃ plant

C₄ plant

Photorespiration

DNA

RNA

Gene

Transformation

Replication

Nucleotide

Transcription

mRNA, tRNA, rRNA

Codon

Translation

Anticodon

Base pair

Chromosome

Purine

Pyramidine

Double helix

Cell division

Mitosis

Cytokinesis

Chromatin

Chromatid

Centromere

Interphase

Prophase

Metaphase

Anaphase

Telophase

Centriole

Spindle

Homologous

Diploid

Haploid

Meiosis

Crossing over

Tetrad

Gamete