Tissues and Organization Flashcards
It is the smallest structural and functional unit of an organism that is capable of carrying out all the fundamental processes of life. what is it?
Cell
It is a thin, semi-permeable layer of lipid and protein molecules that surrounds the cell, separating its internal environment from the external environment. What is it?
Plasma membrane (Cell membrane)
“Imagine a house with a fence around it. The fence is like the plasma membrane of a cell. The fence has small holes in it that let some things go in and out, but not everything. The plasma membrane also has small holes that let some molecules go in and out of the cell, but it keeps other molecules out. The plasma membrane helps keep the inside of the cell safe and controls what goes in and out.”
Gel-like substance that fills the interior of the cell and surrounds the organelles. What is it?
Cytoplasm
“ Imagine you have a balloon filled with jelly. The jelly is called cytoplasm. Just like the balloon holds the jelly, the cell membrane surrounds the cytoplasm inside the cell. The cytoplasm contains lots of important things that help the cell do its job, like proteins, enzymes, and tiny structures called organelles.”
It is a network of protein fibers that gives shape, support, and organization to cells. what is it?
Cytoskeleton
“The cytoskeleton is like a set of tiny, strong straws that support and give shape to the cell. Imagine you have a balloon filled with water, and you want to give it a shape. You can put straws inside the balloon and bend them to make the balloon take the shape you want. “
Semi-fluid substance that makes up the majority of the cytoplasm of a cell. It is a complex solution of water, salts, and organic molecules such as enzymes, nucleic acids, and amino acids. What is it?
Cytosol (Cytoplasmic Matrix)
“Cytosol is like the watery juice inside a watermelon that fills the space between the seeds. Just like the watermelon juice contains various nutrients, salts, and organic molecules, the cytosol is a watery substance that fills the inside of the cell and contains different types of molecules like enzymes, amino acids, and nucleic acids.”
Specialized structures within a cell that perform specific functions necessary for the cell’s survival. What is it?
Organelles
“Organelles are like tiny machines inside a cell that do different jobs to keep the cell healthy and working properly. Just like a car has an engine, wheels, and other parts that work together to make it go, a cell has different organelles that work together to keep it alive. “
It is a membrane-bound organelle that contains the genetic material of the cell in the form of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). What is it?
Nucleus (often referred to as the “control center”)
“Nucleus is like the brain of the cell. It controls everything that the cell does, like a teacher in a classroom. Just like a teacher gives instructions to students, the nucleus gives instructions to the cell”
A double membrane that surrounds the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell. What is it?
Nuclear envelope (nuclear membrane)
“It’s like a big bubble that surrounds the nucleus of a cell, like a ball in a toy. It has a special job to do - to keep the important things inside the nucleus safe and protected, like a house with walls and a roof”
It is a small, non-membrane-bound structure found within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells? What is it?
Nucleolus
“It is like a tiny factory inside the cell’s brain called the nucleus. The factory makes tiny things called ribosomes that are like little machines that help make proteins.”
*It is composed of RNA (ribonucleic acid) and proteins and is responsible for the production and assembly of ribosomes, which are the cellular structures responsible for protein synthesis
A network of flattened membrane-bound sacs and tubules found in eukaryotic cells. What is it?
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
“It’s like a big hallway inside the cell. The hallway has different rooms or areas where important things happen. The walls of the hallway are made of a special material called membranes. The hallway is divided into two parts, rough ER and smooth ER. The rough ER is like a room with tiny machines called ribosomes that help make and process proteins. The smooth ER is like a different room that helps to make fats and remove bad things from the cell. Overall, the ER is an important part of the cell that helps to transport things and keep the cell working properly.”
This organelle consists of a stack of membranous sacs and cisternae. It sorts and packages proteins produced in the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
Golgi apparatus (Golgi complex)
“It is like a post office inside the cell. Just like how the post office sorts and packages mail for delivery, the Golgi complex sorts and packages proteins and lipids that are made inside the cell.”
Membrane-bound organelles found in animal cells. What is it?
Lysosomes
“They are like little garbage trucks inside the cell. They are tiny compartments that contain special enzymes that help break down old or unwanted parts of the cell, like old toys that you don’t play with anymore”
Small, membrane-bound organelles found in eukaryotic cells. What are they?
Peroxisomes
“They are like tiny helpers that work inside cells. They help to clean up harmful things that might be inside the cell. They have special tools called enzymes that help them do their job. It’s like when you clean up a big mess at home, you need tools like a mop or a broom to help you clean up.”
Small, membrane-bound organelles found in most eukaryotic cells. What are they?
Mitochondria
“They are like little power plants inside our cells. They help to make energy that our cells need to work properly, like batteries. They take in food and oxygen and turn it into energy that the cell can use. So, without mitochondria, our cells wouldn’t have enough energy to do their jobs and keep our bodies healthy!”
Cells in the body that specialize in storing energy in the form of fat. What are they?
Adipocytes
“ Adipocytes are special cells in your body that are really good at storing things called “fat”.”
