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150 cards · .apkg and CSV

Biology Essentials: Cell & Molecular — MintDeck

150 cards covering the foundations every biology student needs. Six topics build on each other: cell structure and organelles, the four biological molecules and how enzymes work, how substances cross membranes, mitosis/meiosis and the cell cycle, DNA structure with transcription and translation, and the rules of genetics and inheritance. Each card pairs a clear definition with a worked example or memory hook — mapped to GCSE, A-Level, NCERT Class 12, and first-year college specifications.

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1Front
Cell theory

biology · cells

1Back
All living things are made of cells; the cell is the basic unit of life; all cells arise from pre-existing cells. Example: Proposed by Schleiden, Schwann, and Virchow.
2Front
Prokaryotic cell

biology · cells

2Back
A cell with no membrane-bound nucleus or organelles; DNA lies free in the cytoplasm. Example: Bacteria and archaea are prokaryotes.
3Front
Eukaryotic cell

biology · cells

3Back
A cell with a true membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Example: Animals, plants, fungi, and protists.
4Front
Nucleus

biology · cells

4Back
Membrane-bound organelle that stores DNA and controls gene expression and cell activities. Example: Bounded by a double membrane (nuclear envelope) with pores.
5Front
Nucleolus

biology · cells

5Back
Dense region inside the nucleus where ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is made and ribosomes are assembled.
6Front
Ribosome

biology · cells

6Back
Site of protein synthesis (translation); made of rRNA and protein. Free or bound to rough ER. Example: 80S in eukaryotes, 70S in prokaryotes.
7Front
Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)

biology · cells

7Back
Membrane network studded with ribosomes; synthesises and folds proteins for secretion or membranes.
8Front
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)

biology · cells

8Back
Membrane network without ribosomes; synthesises lipids and steroids and stores calcium.
9Front
Golgi apparatus

biology · cells

9Back
Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids into vesicles for secretion or delivery. Example: Think of it as the cell's 'post office'.
10Front
Mitochondrion

biology · cells

10Back
Site of aerobic respiration; produces ATP. Has a double membrane and its own DNA. Example: Inner membrane folds = cristae; matrix holds enzymes.
11Front
Chloroplast

biology · cells

11Back
Site of photosynthesis in plant and algal cells; contains chlorophyll. Has its own DNA. Example: Stacks of thylakoids = grana; fluid = stroma.
12Front
Lysosome

biology · cells

12Back
Vesicle containing digestive (hydrolytic) enzymes that break down waste, debris, and worn organelles. Example: Maintains an acidic interior (~pH 5).
13Front
Vacuole

biology · cells

13Back
Fluid-filled sac for storage. Plant cells have a large central vacuole that maintains turgor pressure.
14Front
Cell (plasma) membrane

biology · cells

14Back
Selectively permeable phospholipid bilayer that controls what enters and leaves the cell. Example: Described by the fluid mosaic model.
15Front
Cell wall (plant)

biology · cells

15Back
Rigid outer layer of cellulose that supports and protects the plant cell and prevents bursting. Example: Fungi use chitin; bacteria use peptidoglycan.
16Front
Cytoplasm

biology · cells

16Back
Jelly-like fluid (cytosol) filling the cell where many metabolic reactions occur and organelles sit.
17Front
Cytoskeleton

biology · cells

17Back
Network of protein filaments (microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate filaments) giving shape, support, and transport tracks.
18Front
Centriole

biology · cells

18Back
Pair of cylindrical structures that organise spindle fibres during cell division (animal cells).
19Front
Flagellum

biology · cells

19Back
Long whip-like structure used for cell movement. Example: Sperm cells swim using a flagellum.
20Front
Cilia

biology · cells

20Back
Short hair-like projections that beat to move fluid or particles across a surface. Example: Line the trachea to sweep mucus upward.

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Topics covered

6 topics

  • Cell Structure & Organelles

    Prokaryotes vs eukaryotes, the nucleus, mitochondria, ER, Golgi, and more

    28 cards
  • Biological Molecules & Enzymes

    Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and how enzymes work

    26 cards
  • Membranes & Transport

    Fluid mosaic model, diffusion, osmosis, active transport, endo/exocytosis

    22 cards
  • Cell Division & the Cell Cycle

    Interphase, mitosis, meiosis, crossing over, stem cells

    24 cards
  • DNA, RNA & Protein Synthesis

    Base pairing, replication, transcription, translation, the genetic code

    26 cards
  • Genetics, Inheritance & Evolution

    Dominant/recessive alleles, Punnett squares, sex linkage, natural selection

    24 cards

Card format

Front
Biology term, structure, or concepte.g. Semi-conservative replication
Back
Clear definition + a worked example or memory hook

Who it’s for

  • GCSE and A-Level biology students revising cells, molecules, and genetics
  • NCERT Class 11/12 and IB biology students building core recall
  • Pre-med, nursing, and first-year college students needing a fast foundation
  • Anyone returning to biology who wants the essentials in one place

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This deck is provided for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for a formal biology curriculum.