Cell Vocabulary I

Question 1

The smallest biological unit capable of carrying out all of the fundamental activities of life. The basic unit of structure and function of any living thing.

Answer 1

Cell

Question 2

The thin, flexible layer that surrounds a cell and which controls all that enters and leaves the cell.

Answer 2

Cell Membrane

Question 3

In plant and bacterial cells, the outermost non-living cellulose layer that surrounds the entire cell, including the cell membrane.

Answer 3

Cell Wall

Question 4

In animal cells, a structure outside the nucleus that organizes the spindle fibers during cell reproduction.

Answer 4

Centriole

Question 5

Another name for the centriole.

Answer 5

Centrosome

Question 6

A green pigment found in the chloroplasts of plant cells that is essential for photosynthesis.

Answer 6

Chlorophyll

Question 7

The chlorophyll-containing organelles found in the cytoplasm of plant and algae cells.

Answer 7

Chloroplasts

Question 8

The coils of DNA and protein that condense to form chromosomes. Can be thought of as chromosomes with no distinct shape.

Answer 8

Chromatin

Question 9

Distinct worm like cell structures formed from chromatin during cell reproduction.

Answer 9

Chromosomes

Question 10

Large sacs found in the cells of certain protozoans that remove the water that has accumulated inside the cell by pumping it to the outside of the cell.

Answer 10

Contractile Vacuoles

Question 11

Hairlike structures found on the outside of certain cells. The protozoans called conciliates used to propel themselves through the water in which they live.

Answer 11

Cilia

Question 12

That part of a cell’s protoplasm that lies outside of its nucleus.

Answer 12

Cytoplasm

Question 13

A large and very complex biochemical that stores the information needed to construct proteins and that carries the genetic information about an organism.

Answer 13

Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Question 14

The abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid.

Answer 14

DNA

Question 15

The intricate system of tubes leading from the nuclear membrane into the cytoplasm that is involved in transporting proteins.

Answer 15

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Question 16

A special class of proteins that control the rates of biochemical reactions.

Answer 16

Enzyme

Question 17

A long, whip like cell structure used to propel sperm cells as well as the cells of the protozoans known as flagellates.

Answer 17

Flagellum

Question 18

The sacs where food particles are digested that are found in the cytoplasm of protozoan cells.

Answer 18

Food Vacoules

Question 19

The basic unit of heredity, made up of a specific region on a DNA molecule. Also a specific region of a DNA molecule that holds the code for one specific protein.

Answer 19

Gene

Question 20

A sub-cellular organelle involved in packaging proteins for export from the cell.

Answer 20

Golgi Apparatus

Question 21

In animal cells, the organelles where large food molecules are broken down into smaller, more useful, food molecules.

Answer 21

Lysosomes

Question 22

The organelles known as the “power houses of the cell” where the stored energy of food is made available for use within the cell.

Answer 22

Mitochondria

Question 23

A word used to describe organisms made up of many cells.

Answer 23

Multicellular

Question 24

A layer inside the cell that surrounds the nucleus and contains many tiny pores.

Answer 24

Nuclear Membrane

Question 25

A large structure within the cell that contains chromatin, the nucleolus, and is surrounded by a nuclear membrane.

Answer 25

Nucleus

Question 26

The “little nucleus” found inside the nucleus which is made up of RNA and protein.

Answer 26

nucleolus

Question 27

A tiny cell structure; a miniature organ. Ribosomes, mitochondria, and chloroplasts are all organelles.

Answer 27

Organelles

Question 28

A method by which cells take in food by surrounding and engulfing it. Amebae and white blood cells take
in food by this method.

Answer 28

Phagocytosis

Question 29

The process by which plant cells make food and oxygen from water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight

Answer 29

Photosynthesis

Question 30

Another name for the cell membrane.

Answer 30

Plasma Membrane

Question 31

Another name for the cell membrane.

Answer 31

Plasmalemma

Question 32

A class of biochemicals made up of amino acids that can be important in building and repairing cells or in controlling chemical reactions inside the cell.

Answer 32

Protein

Question 33

All the living materials inside a cell.

Answer 33

Protoplasm

Question 34

A class of nucleic acids that can be used either in reading the genetic information on the DNA or in guiding the process of making proteins.

Answer 34

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

Question 35

The organelles where proteins are assembled.

Answer 35

Ribosomes

Question 36

The abbreviation for ribonucleic acid.

Answer 36

RNA

Question 37

Microtubules visible during cell division that are involved in separating chromosomes into two separate
identical groups.

Answer 37

Spindle FIbers

Question 38

Layers of closely related cells that work together to perform a specific function, such as muscle tissue, liver tissue, nervous tissue, etc.

Answer 38

Tissue

Question 39

An organism composed of just one cell.

Answer 39

Unicellular

Question 40

Tiny tubules inside the cell that form the cell’s internal “cytoskeleton” and that help rearrange structures
inside the cell.

Answer 40

Microtubules