Cells Flashcards
Cell
In biology, the smallest unit that can perform all life processes; cells are covered by a membrane and have DNA and cytoplasm.
Nucleus
In a eukaryotic cell, a membrane-bound organelle contains the cell’s DNA and that has a role in processes such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
Cytoplasm
the material or protoplasm within a living cell, excluding the nucleus.
Cell membrane
a phospholipid layer that covers the cell’s surface; acts as a barrier between the inside of the cell and the cell’s environment.
Cell wall
a rigid structure that surrounds the cell membrane and provides support to the cell.
Mitochondria / Mitochondrion
in eukaryotic cells, the cell organelle that is surrounded by two membranes and that is the site of cellular respiration.
Chloroplast
the organelle that uses the energy of sunlight to make food.
Golgi complex
the organelle that processes and transports proteins and other material out of cell.
Endoplasmic reticulum
the organelle that makes lipids, breaks down drugs and other substances, and packages proteins for the Golgi complex.
Ribosome
the organelle in which amino acids are hooked together to make proteins.
Lysosome
the organelle that digests food particles, wastes, cell parts, and foreign invaders.
Vacuole
the organelle that stores water and other materials.
Organelle
one of the small bodies in a cell’s cytoplasm that are specialized to perform a specific function.
Prokaryote
an organism that consists of a single cell that does not have a nucleus.
Eukaryote
an organism made up of cells that have a nucleus enclosed by a membrane; eukaryotes include animals, plants, and fungi, but not archaebacteria or eubacteria.
