Term | Definition |
Cells | basic units of life |
Cell theory | a fundamental concept of biology |
Nucleus | a large membrane-enclosed structure that contains the cell's genetic material in the form of DNA |
Eukaryotes | cells that contain nuclei |
Prokaryotes | cells that do not contain nuclei |
Organelles | "little organs" |
Cytoplasm | the portion of the cell outside the nucleus |
Nuclear envelope | two membranes that surround the nucleus |
Chromatin | granular material you can see in the nucleus |
Chromosomes | threadlike structures that contain the genetic information that is passed fron one generation of cells to the next |
Nucleolus | where the assembly of ribosomes begins |
Ribosomes | small particles of RNA and protein found throughout the cytoplasm |
Endoplasmic reticulum | Eukaryotic cells contain an internal membrane sysem |
Golgi apparatus | proteins produced in the rough ER move into this organelle |
Lysosomes | digest, or break down, lipids, carbohydrates,, and proteins into small molecules that can be used by the rest of the cell |
Vacuoles | saclike structures that store materials such as water, salts, proteins, and carbohydrates |
Mitochondria | organelles that convert the chemical energy stored in food into compounds that are more convenient for the cell to use |
Chloroplasts | organelles that capture the energy from sunlight and convert it into chemical energy in a process called photosynthesis |
Cytoskeleton | a network of protein filaments that help the cell to maintain its shape. It is also involved in movement. |
Centrioles | located near the nucleus and helps to organize cell division/only found in animal cells |
Cell membrane | a thin flexible barrier that surrounds all cells/regulates what enters and leaves the cell and also provides protection and support |
Cell wall | a strong supporting layer around the membrane of a cell |
lipid bilayer | double-layered sheet of lipids that gives cell membranes a flexible structure that forms a strong barrier between the cell and its surroundings |
Concentration | the mass of solute in a given volume of solution, or mass/volume |
Diffusion | particles move from an area where they are more concentrated to an area where they are less concentrated |
Equilibrium | when the concentration of the solute is the same throughout a system |
Osmosis | the diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane |
Isotonic | "same strength" |
Hypertonic | "above strength" |
Hypotonic | "below strength" |
Facilitated diffusion | cell membrane protein that helps the diffusion of glucose |
Active transport | energy-requiring process that moves material across a cell membrane against a concentration difference |
Endocytosis | process of taking material into the cell by means of infoldings, or pockets, of the cell membrane |
Phagocytosis | extensions of cytoplasm surround a particle and package it within a food vacuole |
Pinocytosis | process by which a cell takes in liquid from the surrounding environment |
Exocytosis | the membrane of the vacuole surrounding the material fuses with the cell membrane, forcing the contents out of the cell |
Cell specialization | cells throughout an organism can develop in different ways to perform different task. |
Tissue | is a group of similar cells that perform a particular function |
Organ | many groups of tissues working together |
Organ system | a group of organs that work together to perform a specific function |