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Cells Section 01
These are the key terms for Section 01 of Unit 02 - Cells
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Atom | The smallest unit of matter that still has the properties of an element. |
| Carbohydrate | A type of nutrient made of sugars, which provides energy for cells. |
| Cell | The basic unit of life that makes up all living things. |
| Cell membrane | A thin, flexible layer that surrounds the cell and controls what goes in and out. |
| Cell theory | The scientific idea that all living things are made of cells, and that cells are the basic unit of life. |
| Cell wall | A rigid outer layer found in plant cells that gives the cell structure and protection. |
| Chlorophyll | The green pigment found in plants that helps them absorb sunlight for photosynthesis. |
| Chloroplast | An organelle in plant cells where photosynthesis happens, converting sunlight into food for the plant. |
| Compound | A substance made of two or more different types of atoms that are chemically bonded. |
| Cytoplasm | The jelly-like fluid inside a cell where the organelles float and various cell processes happen. |
| Cytoskeleton | A network of protein fibers inside the cell that gives it shape and helps with movement. |
| DNA | The genetic material in a cell that contains instructions for how the organism grows, develops, and functions. |
| Element | A pure substance made of only one kind of atom, like oxygen or carbon. |
| Endoplasmic reticulum | An organelle that helps produce and transport proteins and other materials in the cell. |
| Eukaryote | A type of organism whose cells have a nucleus and other specialized organelles. |
| Function | The specific job or role that something has in a system. |
| Golgi complex | An organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and other materials to send them to different parts of the cell. |
| Large central vacuole | A big storage organelle found in plant cells that holds water, nutrients, and waste. |
| Lipid | A type of nutrient like fats and oils that stores energy and helps make up cell membranes. |
| Lysosome | An organelle that breaks down waste materials and digests old cell parts. |
| Matter | Anything that takes up space and has mass. |
| Mitochondria | The organelle where energy is produced in the cell, often called the "powerhouse" of the cell. |
| Molecule | A group of atoms bonded together, which can make up substances like water or oxygen. |
| Nucleic acid | Molecules like DNA and RNA that carry genetic information. |
| Nucleus | The control center of a cell that contains the DNA. |
| Organ | A group of tissues that work together to perform a specific function in the body, like the heart or lungs. |
| Organelle | Specialized parts inside a cell that perform specific functions, like the nucleus or mitochondria. |
| Organism | Any living thing, from tiny bacteria to large animals and plants. |
| Organ system | A group of organs that work together to perform a major function in the body, like the digestive system. |
| Phospholipid | A type of lipid that helps form the structure of cell membranes. |
| Prokaryote | A type of organism, like bacteria, whose cells do not have a nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles. |
| Protein | A type of nutrient made of amino acids that helps build and repair body tissues and performs many functions in the cell. |
| Ribosome | An organelle that makes proteins by following instructions from the DNA. |
| Specialization | When cells, organs, or organisms become adapted to perform a specific function or job. |
| Structure | The way something is built or arranged, which helps it do its job. |
| Tissue | A group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific job in the body. |
| Vacuole | A storage organelle in cells that holds materials like water, nutrients, and waste. |
| Vesicle | A small sac in cells that transports materials from one part of the cell to another. |