MS-LS1-1: Cells and Organisms

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Cell Noun

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[sel]

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Cell

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The basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms, which is the smallest unit of life.

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Example: The image shows a plant cell with labeled parts like nucleus, chloroplast, and cell wall, explaining cell structure.

Front

Organism Noun

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[or-guh-niz-uhm]

Back

Organism

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An individual living being, such as an animal, plant, or single-celled life form, that can function independently.

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Example: An amoeba is a single-celled organism that can function independently.

Front

Compound Microscope Noun

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[kom-pound my-kruh-skohp]

Back

Compound Microscope

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An optical instrument with multiple lenses used to magnify objects that are too small to be seen by the naked eye.

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Example: The image shows a compound microscope with labeled parts, helping students identify each component and its function.

Front

Animalcules Noun

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[an-uh-mal-kyoolz]

Back

Animalcules

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An archaic term for microscopic organisms, like bacteria and protists, observed by early microbiologists like Leeuwenhoek.

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Example: Illustrates microscopic organisms called animalcules, showing their structure as seen by early scientists.

Front

Multicellular Adjective

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[muhl-tee-sel-yuh-ler]

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Multicellular

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Describing an organism composed of many cells, often with specialized functions, working together to sustain life.

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Example: This image shows how skeletal muscle is made of many cells working together, illustrating a multicellular structure.

Front

Unicellular Adjective

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[yoo-ni-sel-yuh-ler]

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Unicellular

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Describing an organism that consists of only a single cell, which must perform all essential life functions.

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Example: An amoeba is a single-celled organism that performs all life functions within one cell.

Front

Protist Noun

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[proh-tist]

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Protist

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A single-celled eukaryotic organism that is not an animal, plant, or fungus, such as an amoeba or paramecium.

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Example: This image shows an amoeba, a single-celled protist, highlighting its structure.

Front

Cell Membrane Noun

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[sel mem-breyn]

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Cell Membrane

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The semipermeable barrier surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell, controlling what substances enter and leave the cell.

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Example: The image shows the cell membrane with labeled proteins and carbohydrates, explaining its role as a barrier.

Front

Prokaryote Noun

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[proh-kar-ee-oht]

Back

Prokaryote

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A microscopic single-celled organism that lacks a distinct nucleus and other specialized, membrane-bound organelles.

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Example: This diagram shows a prokaryotic cell, highlighting its simple structure without a nucleus.

Front

Eukaryote Noun

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[yoo-kar-ee-oht]

Back

Eukaryote

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An organism whose cells contain a nucleus and other organelles enclosed within membranes, including all multicellular life.

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Example: This image shows an animal cell with a nucleus and organelles, explaining what makes it a eukaryote.