4: Cell Structure Flashcards
rigid cell covering comprised of various molecules that protects the cell, provides structural support, and gives shape to the cell
cell wall
large plant cell organelle that regulates the cell’s storage compartment, holds water, and plays a significant role in cell growth as the site of macromolecule degradation
central vacuole
region in animal cells made of two centrioles that serves as an organizing center for microtubules
centrosome
green pigment that captures the light energy that drives the light reactions of photosynthesis
chlorophyll
plant cell organelle that carries out
photosynthesis
chloroplast
protein-DNA complex that serves as the
chromosomes’ building material
chromatin
structure within the nucleus that comprises chromatin that contains DNA, the hereditary material
chromosome
short, hair-like structure that extends from the plasma membrane in large numbers and functions to move an entire cell or move substances along the cell’s outer surface
cilium (pl. cilia)
entire region between the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope, consisting of organelles suspended in the gel-like cytosol, the cytoskeleton, and various chemicals
cytoplasm
protein fiber network that collectively maintains the cell’s shape, secures some organelles in specific positions, allows cytoplasm and vesicles to move within the cell, and enables unicellular organisms to move independently
cytoskeleton
the cytoplasm’s gel-like material in which cell structures are suspended
cytosol
linkages between adjacent epithelial cells that form when cadherins in the plasma membrane attach to intermediate filaments
desmosome
an instrument that magnifies an object using an electron beam that passes and bends through a lens system to visualize a specimen
electron microscope
group of organelles and membranes in eukaryotic cells that work together modifying, packaging, and transporting lipids and proteins
endomembrane system
series of interconnected membranous structures within eukaryotic cells that collectively modify proteins and synthesize lipids
endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
cell that has a membrane-bound nucleus and several other membrane-bound compartments or sacs
eukaryotic cell
material secreted from animal or fungal cells that provides mechanical protection and anchoring for the cells in the tissue
extracellular matrix
long, hair-like structure that extends from the plasma membrane and moves the cell
flagellum (pl. flagella)
channel between two adjacent animal cells that allows ions, nutrients, and low molecular weight substances to pass between cells, enabling the cells to communicate
gap junction
eukaryotic organelle comprised of a series of stacked membranes that sorts, tags, and packages lipids and proteins for distribution
Golgi apparatus
cytoskeletal component, comprised of several fibrous protein intertwined strands, that bears tension, supports cell-cell junctions, and anchors cells to extracellular structures
intermediate filament
an instrument that magnifies an object using a beam of visible light that passes and bends through a lens system to visualize a specimen
light microscope
organelle in an animal cell that functions as the cell’s digestive component; it breaks down proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids, and even worn-out organelles
lysosome
the cytoskeleton system’s narrowest element; it provides rigidity and shape to the cell and enables cellular movements
microfilament
an instrument that magnifies an object
microscope
the cytoskeleton system’s widest element; it helps the cell resist compression, provides a track along which vesicles move through the cell, pulls replicated chromosomes to opposite ends of a dividing cell, and is the structural element of centrioles, flagella, and cilia
microtubule
cellular organelles responsible for carrying out cellular respiration, resulting in producing ATP, the cell’s main energy-carrying molecule
mitochondria (sing. mitochondrion)
double-membrane structure that constitutes the nucleus’ outermost portion
nuclear envelope
central part of a prokaryotic cell’s central part where the chromosome is located
nucleoid
darkly staining body within the nucleus that is responsible for assembling ribosome subunits
nucleolus
semi-solid fluid inside the nucleus that contains the chromatin and nucleolus
nucleoplasm
cell organelle that houses the cell’s DNA and directs ribosome and protein synthesis
nucleus
compartment or sac within a cell
organelle
small, round organelle that contains hydrogen peroxide, oxidizes fatty acids and amino acids, and detoxifies many poisons
peroxisome
phospholipid bilayer with embedded (integral) or attached (peripheral) proteins, and separates the cell’s internal content from its surrounding environment
plasma membrane
channel that passes between adjacent plant cells’ cell walls, connects their cytoplasm, and allows transporting of materials from cell to cell
plasmodesma (pl. plasmodesmata)
unicellular organism that lacks a nucleus or any other membrane-bound organelle
prokaryote
cellular structure that carries out protein synthesis
ribosome
region of the endoplasmic reticulum that is studded with ribosomes and engages in protein modification and phospholipid synthesis
rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)
region of the endoplasmic reticulum that has few or no ribosomes on its cytoplasmic surface and synthesizes carbohydrates, lipids, and steroid hormones; detoxifies certain chemicals (like pesticides, preservatives, medications, and environmental pollutants), and stores calcium ions
smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)
protein adherence that creates a firm seal between two adjacent animal cells
tight junction
a biological concept that states that one or more cells comprise all organisms; the cell is the basic unit of life; and new cells arise from existing cells
unified cell theory
membrane-bound sac, somewhat larger than a vesicle, which functions in cellular storage and transport
vacuole
small, membrane-bound sac that functions in cellular storage and transport; its membrane is capable of fusing with the plasma membrane and the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus
vesicle
