Vocab about Animal, Plant, and Prokaryotic Cells

Animal Cells

• cell membrane - the semipermeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm of a cell
• nucleus - the control center of a cell, which contains the cell's chromosomal DNA
• nuclear pore - large protein complexes that cross the nuclear envelope
• nuclear envelope - the double membrane that surrounds the eukaryotic cell nucleus
• chromatin - the combination of DNA and proteins that make up the contents of a nucleus in a cell
• cytoplasm - the jelly-like substance that fills a cell
• mitrochondrion - organelles that provide the energy a cell needs to move, divide, produce secretory products, contract -- power centers
• Golgi complex - it processes and packages proteins in a cell before they get to their destination
• vacuole - enclosed compartments filled with water containing organic and inorganic molecules (ie. enzymes)
• lysosome - cellular organelles that contain acid hydrolase to break down waste materials and cellular debris 
• ribosome - component of cells that synthesizes protein chains 
• endoplasmic reticulum - organelle that forms an interconnected network of tubules, vesicles, and cisternae

Plant Cells

• cell membrane - the semipermeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm of a cell
• vacuole - enclosed compartments filled with water containing organic and inorganic molecules (ie. enzymes)
• chloroplast - conducts photosynthesis in a plant cell
• golgi complex -  it processes and packages proteins in a cell before they get to their destination
• ribosome -  component of cells that synthesizes protein chains
• endoplasmic reticulum - organelle that forms an interconnected network of tubules, vesicles, and cisternae
• mitochrondrion -  organelles that provide the energy a cell needs to move, divide, produce secretory products, contract -- power centers
• lysosome - cellular organelles that contain acid hydrolase to break down waste materials and cellular debris 
• nucleus - the control center of a cell, which contains the cell's chromosomal DNA
• nuclear envelope - the double membrane that surrounds the eukaryotic cell nucleus
• nuclear pore -  large protein complexes that cross the nuclear envelope

Prokaryotic Cells

• Pilus - hairlike appendage found on the outside of many bacteria 
• cell wall - rigid layer that protects a cell
• capsule - layer outside the cell wall
• flagellum - locomotion and sense organ, sensitive to outer temperature and chemicals
• nucleoid - contains all or most of the cells' genetic material
• plasmid - DNA molecule that is separate from the chromosomal DNA
• cytoplasm - gel-like substance holding all the internal organelles inside a cell 
• ribosome - component of cells that synthesizes protein chains
• mesosome - fold in the plasma membrane of a cell of bacteria
• phycobilisome - protein complexes that are linked to thylakoid membranes
• thylakoid membrane - light dependant reactions of photosynthesis that is in the membrane
• thylakoid compartment - a membrane-bound compartment inside chloroplasts and cyanobacteria
• hyaloplasm - a clear margin along the front of the cell

Finding Different Life

A recent discovery made by NASA questioned the way scientists have been searching for new organisms. They discovered a new bacteria called GFAJ-1 which is unlike any other type of anything that is currently living on Earth. It is a substance that uses arsenic, unlike the normal components of life: carbon, sulfur, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and phosphorous, which is normally a deadly chemical to any other organism that is not specially modified for it. It is able to use arsenic to build up its DNA, RNA, proteins, and cell membranes. What's more is that this new bacteria was discovered in Mono Lake in California. The discovery of this bacteria made scientists question their methods and the places they're looking in for new forms of life. New life could be closer than we think.
Diaz, Jesus. "NASA Finds New Life (Updated)." Gizmodo, the Gadget Guide. Web. 09 Jan. 2012. <http://gizmodo.com/5704158/nasa-finds-new-life>.

Since 1957, space programs around the world have been sending technological satellites up into space in order to explore the universe that surrounds human beings on Earth. History changed for space programs around the world when Russia launched Sputnik, the world's first artificial satellite. After this event Russia and the U.S. began competing with one another in order to boost off their satellites into space. One of the U.S.'s satellites, the Explorer I, was launched into space, it discovered magnetic radiation belts that surrounded Earth. The Sputnik launch also became the cause for the creation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) known for their urge to discover new life beyond our planet.
"Sputnik and The Dawn of the Space Age." NASA History. 10 Oct. 2007. Web. 09 Jan. 2012. <http://history.nasa.gov/sputnik/>.
Telescopes have always been the main source of discovering new planets. Using a simple lens that can be zoomed in or out has been used since the Protestant  Reformation when astronomers such as Galileo and Copernicus and many others had discovered that other planets besides the one that humans reside on exist out there. Since our planet was able to host life, it is not far from the realm of possibility that another planet out there is able to host life forms that need to breathe, metabolize, maintain homeostasis, and many other factors exist, just as we do. In La Silla a group of European astronomers discovered a planet that surrounds a sun-like star that is able to maintain water on its surface. This is just one of the proofs that other Earth-like planets exist out there and many be able to host life-forms.

Hanlon, Michael By. "Life-supporting Planet a New Earth". The Telegraph. Web. 09 Jan. 2012. <http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/world/life-supporting-planet-a-new-earth/story-e6frev00-1111113408408>.