Module Review

This module introduces one of the most fundamental ideas in biology: all living organisms are made of cells. You will begin by comparing eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, exploring the key structural differences between animal, plant and bacterial cells, and understanding how genetic materialDNA that carries the instructions for cell structure and function. is organised. You will also learn to work confidently with cell size, orders of magnitude and standard formA way of writing very large or very small numbers as a number between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of ten..

The module then explores how cells become specialised and differentiated, allowing multicellular organisms to form tissues, organs and organA structure made of different tissues working together to perform a specific function. systems. You will examine specialised animal and plant cells and link their structure directly to their function. Next, you will investigate how microscopes have developed over time, comparing light and electron microscopes in terms of magnificationThe number of times larger an image appears compared to the real object. and resolutionThe ability to distinguish two separate points as distinct., and practising essential microscopyThe use of microscopes to observe small structures. calculations. Finally, you will study how microorganisms are cultured safely in laboratories, including aseptic techniques and mathematical methods for estimating bacterial growth.

Module Content

0% Complete 0/5 Steps

1.1.1 Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes

1.1.2 Cell Specialisation

1.1.3 Cell Differentiation

1.1.4 Microscopy

1.1.5 Culturing Microorganisms

Summary

Revision

Glossary

Active TransportThe movement of substances against a concentration gradient using energy from respiration.: The movement of substances against a concentration gradientA difference in concentration between two areas. using energy from respiration.
Aerobic RespirationA chemical process that releases energy from glucose using oxygen, occurring in mitochondria.: A chemical process that releases energy from glucose using oxygen, occurring in mitochondriaAn organelle where aerobic respiration occurs and energy is released..
AgarA jelly-like substance made from seaweed that is used as a solid growth medium for culturing microorganisms.: A jelly-like substance made from seaweed that is used as a solid growth medium for culturing microorganisms.
Agar PlateA Petri dish containing agar gel used to grow and study microorganisms.: A Petri dish containing agar gel used to grow and study microorganisms.
Aseptic TechniqueProcedures used to prevent contamination by unwanted microorganisms during experiments.: Procedures used to prevent contamination by unwanted microorganisms during experiments.
AxonA long extension of a neuron that carries electrical impulses away from the cell body.: A long extension of a neuronA specialised cell that transmits electrical impulses around the body. that carries electrical impulses away from the cell body.
BacteriumA single-celled prokaryotic microorganism. / BacteriaA single-celled prokaryotic microorganism.: A single-celled prokaryotic microorganism.
Binary FissionAsexual reproduction in bacteria where one cell divides into two genetically identical daughter cells.: Asexual reproduction in bacteria where one cell divides into two genetically identical daughter cellsThe two new cells formed after cell division..
Cell DifferentiationThe process by which an unspecialised cell develops into a specialised cell with a specific function.: The process by which an unspecialised cell develops into a specialised cell with a specific function.
Cell MembraneA thin, partially permeable barrier surrounding the cell that controls movement of substances in and out.: A thin, partially permeable barrier surrounding the cell that controls movement of substances in and out.
Cell SapA weak solution of sugars and salts found in the vacuole of plant cells.: A weak solution of sugars and salts found in the vacuoleA fluid-filled space in plant cells that maintains internal pressure. of plant cells.
Cell SpecialisationThe development of specific structures in a cell to enable it to perform a particular function.: The development of specific structures in a cell to enable it to perform a particular function.
Cell WallA rigid outer layer that strengthens and supports the cell; made of cellulose in plants and peptidoglycan in bacteria.: A rigid outer layer that strengthens and supports the cell; made of cellulose in plants and peptidoglycanA substance forming the cell wall of bacterial cells. in bacteria.
ChlorophyllA green pigment found in chloroplasts that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis.: A green pigment found in chloroplasts that absorbs light energy for photosynthesisThe process by which plants use light energy to produce glucose..
ChloroplastAn organelle found in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs.: An organelleA specialised structure within a cell that performs a particular function. found in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs.
ChromosomeA structure made of DNA that carries genetic information.: A structure made of DNA that carries genetic information.
Circular DNAA single loop of DNA found free in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells.: A single loop of DNA found free in the cytoplasmA jelly-like substance in cells where most chemical reactions occur. of prokaryotic cells.
ColonyA visible cluster of microorganisms growing on an agar plate, usually originating from one bacterium.: A visible cluster of microorganisms growing on an agar plate, usually originating from one bacterium.
Concentration Gradient: A difference in concentration between two areas.
Control PlateA Petri dish treated with sterile water instead of an antimicrobial substance for comparison in experiments.: A Petri dish treated with sterile water instead of an antimicrobial substance for comparison in experiments.
Cytoplasm: A jelly-like substance in cells where most chemical reactions occur.
DendriteBranched extensions of a neuron that receive electrical signals from other cells.: Branched extensions of a neuron that receive electrical signals from other cells.
Daughter Cells: The two new cells formed after cell division.
Electron MicroscopeA microscope that uses a beam of electrons to produce highly magnified, high-resolution images.: A microscope that uses a beam of electrons to produce highly magnified, high-resolution images.
EnzymeA biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in cells.: A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in cells.
FlagellumA long tail-like structure that enables movement in some cells, such as sperm cells.: A long tail-like structure that enables movement in some cells, such as sperm cells.
Genetic Material: DNA that carries the instructions for cell structure and function.
Image SizeThe measured size of an object as seen under a microscope.: The measured size of an object as seen under a microscope.
Light MicroscopeA microscope that uses visible light and glass lenses to magnify specimens.: A microscope that uses visible light and glass lenses to magnify specimens.
Magnification: The number of times larger an image appears compared to the real object.
MeristemA region in plants containing unspecialised cells that can divide and differentiate throughout the plant’s life.: A region in plants containing unspecialised cells that can divide and differentiate throughout the plant’s life.
Microscopy: The use of microscopes to observe small structures.
MitochondrionAn organelle where aerobic respiration occurs and energy is released. / Mitochondria: An organelle where aerobic respiration occurs and energy is released.
Muscle CellA specialised animal cell adapted to contract and produce movement.: A specialised animal cell adapted to contract and produce movement.
Nerve CellA specialised cell that transmits electrical impulses around the body. / Neuron: A specialised cell that transmits electrical impulses around the body.
NucleusA membrane-bound organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains DNA.: A membrane-bound organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains DNA.
Order of MagnitudeA comparison of size using powers of ten.: A comparison of size using powers of ten.
Organ: A structure made of different tissues working together to perform a specific function.
Organelle: A specialised structure within a cell that performs a particular function.
Organ SystemA group of organs working together to carry out a major body function.: A group of organs working together to carry out a major body function.
OsmosisThe movement of water across a partially permeable membrane from a dilute solution to a more concentrated solution.: The movement of water across a partially permeable membrane from a dilute solution to a more concentrated solution.
Peptidoglycan: A substance forming the cell wall of bacterial cells.
PhloemPlant tissue that transports dissolved sugars around the plant.: Plant tissueA group of similar specialised cells working together to perform a function. that transports dissolved sugars around the plant.
Photosynthesis: The process by which plants use light energy to produce glucose.
PlasmidA small circular ring of DNA in bacteria, separate from the main chromosome.: A small circular ring of DNA in bacteria, separate from the main chromosome.
ProkaryoteA single-celled organism without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.: A single-celled organism without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.
Resolution: The ability to distinguish two separate points as distinct.
RibosomeA small structure in cells where proteins are made.: A small structure in cells where proteins are made.
Root Hair CellA specialised plant cell adapted to absorb water and mineral ions from the soil.: A specialised plant cell adapted to absorb water and mineral ions from the soil.
Sieve PlateA porous end wall between phloem cells that allows sap to flow through.: A porous end wall between phloem cells that allows sap to flow through.
Sperm CellA specialised male reproductive cell adapted to fertilise an egg.: A specialised male reproductive cell adapted to fertilise an egg.
Standard Form: A way of writing very large or very small numbers as a number between 1 and 10 multiplied by a power of ten.
Sub-Cellular StructureA structure within a cell, such as an organelle.: A structure within a cell, such as an organelle.
Tissue: A group of similar specialised cells working together to perform a function.
Vacuole: A fluid-filled space in plant cells that maintains internal pressure.
XylemPlant tissue that transports water and mineral ions from roots to the rest of the plant.: Plant tissue that transports water and mineral ions from roots to the rest of the plant.
Zone of InhibitionA clear area around an antimicrobial disc on an agar plate where bacteria have not grown.: A clear area around an antimicrobial disc on an agar plate where bacteria have not grown.

GCSE

Biology

1. Cell Biology

Module Review