Unit 3 Vocab Flashcards
Eukaryote
Eukaryotes are organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles
Prokaryote
Prokaryotic cells are single-celled microorganisms
Nucleus
the structure in a cell that contains the chromosomes
Ribosome
A ribosome is the cellular machinery responsible for making proteins
Mitochondrion
membrane-bound cell organelles
Chloroplast
A chloroplast is a type of plastid (a saclike organelle with a double membrane) that serves as the site of photosynthesis,
Cell Wall
A cell wall is defined as a rigid, external layer that is specifically designed to provide structural support and rigidity.
Cell membrane
found in all cells and separates the interior of the cell from the outside environment
Vacuole
A vacuole is a membrane-bound cell organelle. In animal cells, vacuoles are generally small and help sequester waste products. In plant cells, vacuoles help maintain water balance.
Cellular Respiration
A chemical process in which oxygen is used to make energy from carbohydrates (sugars)
Photosynthesis
A chemical process that occurs in plants, algae, and some types of bacteria, when they are exposed to sunlight
Chlorophyll
a pigment present in all green plants and a few other organisms.
Consumer
an organism that cannot produce its own food and must eat other plants and/or animals to get energy
Heterotroph
an organism that eats other plants or animals for energy and nutrients
Herbivore
an organism that mostly feeds on plants.
Carnivore
an organism that only eats meat
Omnivore
an organism that eats plants and animals
decomposition
the process in which a living or organic substance is broken down into simpler organic or inorganic matter.
Decomposer
An organism, often a bacterium, fungus, or invertebrate that feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter, making organic nutrients available to the ecosystem.
Autotroph
an organism that can produce its own food using light, water, carbon dioxide, or other chemicals.
Producer
an organism that creates its own food for energy
Trophic Level
A level or position in the food chain, pyramid
Food Web
A food web consists of all the food chains in a single ecosystem.
