Term | Definition |
cell | the smallest part of a living thing that can carry out processes of life |
cell membrane | a thin outer layer of a cell |
cytoplasm | the gel-like material inside the cell that holds all the other inner parts of the cell |
nucleus | a large, round structure at the center of a cell that controls all the activities of a cell |
mitochondrion | the part of a cell that breaks down food and turns it into energy for the cell |
vacuole | a cell part that holds food, water, and wastes |
cell wall | a hard outer layer of a plant cell that protects the cell and provides support |
chloroplast | a part of a plant cell that uses energy from sunlight to make food |
organism | an individual living thing that can carry out all its own life activities |
tissue | a group of similar cells that do the same job in an organism |
organ | a body part made of different kinds of tissues that work together to do a certain job |
organ system | a group of organs that work together to do a certain job |
kingdom | the broadest group into which living things are classified |
vertebrate | an animal that has a backbone |
invertebrate | an animal that does not have a backbone |
vascular | any plant that has tubes for moving water and other materials to where they are needed |
nonvascular | any plant that soaks up water from the ground directly into its cells |
fungus | an organism that cannot make its own food, but instead absorbs food from decaying organisms |
bacteria | one-celled living things that do not have a nucleous |
protist | a one- or many- celled organism that can either make, eat, or absorb food |