Chapter 4 Flashcards
Cell Structure
cell wall
rigid cell covering comprised of various molecules that protects the cell, provides structural support, and gives shape to the cell
central vacuole
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
centrosome
region in animal cells made of two centrioles
that serves as an organizing center for microtubules
chlorophyll
green pigment that captures the light energy
that drives the light reactions of photosynthesis
chloroplast
plant cell organelle that carries out
photosynthesis
chromatin
protein-DNA complex that serves as the chromosomes’ building material
chromosome
structure within the nucleus that comprises chromatin that contains DNA, the hereditary material
cilium
(plural = cilia) 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
cytoplasm
entire region between the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope, consisting of organelles suspended in the gel-like cytosol, the cytoskeleton, and
various chemicals
cytoskeleton
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
cytosol
the cytoplasm’s gel-like material in which cell
structures are suspended
desmosome
linkages between adjacent epithelial cells that
form when cadherins in the plasma membrane attach to
intermediate filaments
electron microscope
an instrument that magnifies an
object using an electron beam that passes and bends
through a lens system to visualize a specimen
endomembrane system
group of organelles and membranes in eukaryotic cells that work together modifying, packaging, and transporting lipids and proteins endoplasmic
endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
series of interconnected
membranous structures within eukaryotic cells that
collectively modify proteins and synthesize lipids
eukaryotic cell
cell that has a membrane-bound nucleus
and several other membrane-bound compartments or
sacs
extracellular matrix
material secreted from animal or
fungal cells that provides mechanical protection and
anchoring for the cells in the tissue
flagellum
(plural = flagella) long, hair-like structure that
extends from the plasma membrane and moves the cell
gap junction
channel between two adjacent animal cells
that allows ions, nutrients, and low molecular weight
substances to pass between cells, enabling the cells to
communicate
Golgi apparatus
eukaryotic organelle comprised of a series
of stacked membranes that sorts, tags, and packages
lipids and proteins for distribution
intermediate filament
cytoskeletal component, comprised
of several fibrous protein intertwined strands, that bears
tension, supports cell-cell junctions, and anchors cells to
extracellular structures
light microscope
an instrument that magnifies an object
using a beam of visible light that passes and bends
through a lens system to visualize a specimen
lysosome
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
microfilament
the cytoskeleton system’s narrowest
element; it provides rigidity and shape to the cell and
enables cellular movements
microscope
an instrument that magnifies an object
microtubule
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
mitochondria
(singular = mitochondrion) cellular
organelles responsible for carrying out cellular
respiration, resulting in producing ATP, the cell’s main
energy-carrying molecule
nuclear envelope
double-membrane structure that
constitutes the nucleus’ outermost portion
nucleoid
central part of a prokaryotic cell’s central part
where the chromosome is located
nucleolus
darkly staining body within the nucleus that is
responsible for assembling ribosome subunits
nucleoplasm
semi-solid fluid inside the nucleus that
contains the chromatin and nucleolus
nucleus
cell organelle that houses the cell’s DNA and
directs ribosome and protein synthesis
organelle
compartment or sac within a cell
peroxisome
small, round organelle that contains hydrogen
peroxide, oxidizes fatty acids and amino acids, and
detoxifies many poisons
plasma membrane
phospholipid bilayer with embedded
(integral) or attached (peripheral) proteins, and separates
the cell’s internal content from its surrounding
environment