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Cell Basics
Cell Stuff
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Eukaryote | organism whose cells contain nuclei |
prokaryote | unicellular organism lacking a nucleus |
organelle | specialized structure that performs important cellular functions within a eukaryotic cell |
nucleus | the center of the atom which contains the protons and neutrons; in cells, structure that contains the cell's genetic material (DNA) and controls the cell's activities |
cell | collection of living matter enclosed by a barrier that separates the cell from its surroundings; basic unit of all forms of life |
cytoplasm | material inside the cell membrane—not including the nucleus |
ribosome | small particle in the cell on which proteins are assembled; made of RNA and protein |
lysosome | cell organelle filled with enzymes needed to break down certain materials in the cell |
vacuole | cell organelle that stores materials such as water, salts, proteins, and carbohydrates |
diffusion | process by which molecules tend to move from an area where they are more concentrated to an area where they are less concentrated |
Interphase | The stage of the cell cycle that takes place before cell division occurs; the cell grows, copies its DNA & prepares to divide. |
prophase | first phase of mitosis in which chromosomes become visible and nuclear membraine disappears |
anaphase | the third part of mitosis, during which the chromosome paris separate and move towards opposites poles |
telopahse | 4th and final phase of mitosis, during which the chromosomes begin to disperse into a tangle of dense material |
Metaphase | connects the centromere of each chromosome to the two poles of the spindle. |