Term | Definition |
cells | basic units of structure and function in living things. |
microscope | instrument that make small objects look larger. |
cell theory | explanation of the relationship between cells and living things. |
cell wall | is a rigid layer that surrounds the cells of plants and some other organsims |
cell membrane | controls which substances pass into and and out of the cell |
nucleus | a large oval structure acts as the cell's control center |
ribosomes | small grain-shaped organelles that produce protein |
cyytoplasm | fluid fills the area between the cell membrane and the nucleus |
mitochondria | organelle converts energy stored in food to energy a cell can use to live and function |
endoplasmic reticulum | organelle which has a network of membranes that produce many substances |
Golgi apparatus | organelle that receive protein and other materials from the ER and package them, and distributes them to other parts of the cell or outside of the cell. |
vacuoles | a type of sac which stores water, food pr other materials needed by the cell |
lysosomes | organelle that break down large food particles into smaller ones |
chloroplast | green structures that capture energy from sunlight and changes it to form of energy the cell can use. |
multicellular | have many cells |
unicellular | have one cell |
tissue | a group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function |
organ | a group of different kinds of tissues that function together |
organ system | a group of organs that work together to perform major function |
element | any substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substance |
compound | form when two or more elements combine chemically |
carbohydrates | energy rich organic compounds made of the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen |
lipids | compounds that are made mostly of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen |
proteins | large organic molecules made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and in some cases sulfur |
nucleic acid | very long organic molecules consists of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus |
DNA | genetic material that carries information about an organism and is passed from parents to offspring |
double helix | the shape of the DNA molecule |
selectively permeable | some substances can pass across the cell membrane while others cannot. |
passive transport | movement of dissolved materials across a cell membrane without using the cell energy |
active transport | movement of materials across a cell membrane using the cell energy |
diffusion | process by which molecules move from area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration |
osmosis | diffusion of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane |
endocytosis | the cell membrane changes shape and engulfs particles |
exocytosis | the cell membrane allows large particles to leave a cell |
photosynthesis | process by which a cell capture energy in the sunlight and uses it to make food |
autotroph | organism the can make its own food |
heterotroph | organism that cannot make its own food |
chlorophyll | green pigment inside the chloroplast that absorbs light |
cellular respiration | process by which cells obtain energy from glucose |