Term | Definition |
Element | Any substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances. |
Atom | The smallest unit of an element. |
Compound | When two or more elements combine chemically. |
Molecules | The smallest unit of most compounds. |
Organic compounds | Most compounds that contain carbon. |
inorganic compounds | Compounds that do not contain the element of carbon. |
Carbohydrate | An energy-rich organic compound made of the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. |
Proteins | Large organic molecules made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and, in some cases sulfur. |
amino acids | Protein molecules are made up of smaller molecules. |
enzyme | A type of protein that speeds up a chemical reaction in a living thing. |
Lipids | Fats, oils, and waxes. |
Nucleic acids | Very large organic molecules made of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and phosphorus. |
DNA | Passed from parent to offspring and directs all of the cell's functions. |
RNA | Plays an important role in the production of proteins. |
Organelles | Carry out specific functions in the cell. |
Cell wall | A rigid layer of nonliving material that surrounds plant cells. |
Cell membrane | If cells don't have cell walls the cell membrane is the outside layer. |
Nucleus | A large, oval structure that acts as the "brain" of the cell. |
Chromatin | Contains the instructions for the cells functions. |
Cytoplasm | The region between the cell membrane and the nucleus. |
Mitochondria | Produces energy. |
ER | Carries proteins and other materials from one part of the cell to the other. |
Ribosomes | Grain-like bodies that produce proteins. |
Golgi bodies | Distributes proteins and other materials throughout the cell. |
Chloroplast | Captures energy from sunlight and use it to produce food for the cell. |
Vacuole | Stores food and other materials in the cell. |
Lysosomes | Break down food and recycle old cell parts. |
Prokaryotes | Cells that lack a nucleus. |
Eukaryotes | Cells that have a nucleus. |