Term | Definition |
ATP | The form of energy used by all living things. |
cell | The basic unit of life and the building block of all living things. |
cell membrane | A semi-permeable phospholipid bilayer forming the boundary of all cells, controlling the entry and exit of substances. |
cell wall | Cellulose layer that surrounds plant cells (outside the cell membrane). |
chloroplast | Organelle which is the site of photosynthesis. Structure in plant cells which contains chlorophyll. |
cristae | Folds on the inner membrane of a mitochondrion. They increase the surface area for reactions to occur on, increasing the amount of ATP which can be produced during respiration. |
cytoplasm | Jelly-like contents of the cell, located between the cell membrane and the nucleus. |
endoplasmic reticulum | A network of flattened tube-like membranes throughout the cell. May have ribosomes attached. |
glycolysis | The first stage of respiration, in which glucose is broken down into pyruvic acid. This stage occurs in the cytoplasm of cells and does not require oxygen. |
Golgi bodies | System of folded membranes in the cell cytoplasm involved in producing and releasing secretions. |
lysosome | Membrane-bound sac containing digestive enzymes. |
matrix | The fluid-filled space enclosed by the inner membrane of mitochondria. It contains many enzymes which can function on the large surface area created by the cristae. |
mitochondrion | Organelle which is the site of respiration. |
nucleus | Structure in cell containing the genetic information which controls the activity of the cell. |
organelles | Various structures within the cytoplasm which have specific functions. Most are enclosed within their own membrane e.g. mitochondria, chloroplasts. |
photosynthesis | A process in plants in which carbon dioxide and water are converted into glucose (and oxygen) using light energy. |
respiration | Process in which glucose is broken down to release energy in the form of ATP. |
respiration word equation | Glucose + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water + energy (ATP) |
ribosome | Small organelle which is the site of protein synthesis. Free in the cytoplasm and the ‘rough’ of rough endoplasmic reticulum. |
vacuole | Liquid-filled cavity within the cell cytoplasm. Large in mature plant cells. |