Science Vocab: Cells

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Cell Wall

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A rigid layer of polysaccharides lying outside the plasma membrane of the cells of plants, fungi, and bacteria.

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Cell Membrane

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The semipermeable membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell.

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Nucleus

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The positively charged central core of an atom, containing most of its mass.

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Chromosome

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A threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes

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Cytoplasm

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The material or protoplasm within a living cell, excluding the nucleus

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Endoplasmic Reticulum

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A network of membranous tubules within the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell, continuous with the nuclear membrane. It usually has ribosomes attached and is involved in protein and lipid synthesis

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Ribosome

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A minute particle consisting of RNA and associated proteins, found in large numbers in the cytoplasm of living cells. They bind messenger RNA and transfer RNA to synthesize polypeptides and proteins

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Mitochondria

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An organelle found in large numbers in most cells, in which the biochemical processes of respiration and energy production occur. It has a double membrane, the inner layer being folded inward to form layers (cristae)

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Vacuole

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A space or vesicle within the cytoplasm of a cell, enclosed by a membrane and typically containing fluid

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Lysosome

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An organelle in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells containing degradative enzymes enclosed in a membrane

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Chloroplast

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(in green plant cells) A plastid that contains chlorophyll and in which photosynthesis takes place

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Golgi Body

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a netlike structure in the cytoplasm of animal cells (especially in those cells that produce secretions)

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Cell

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The smallest structural and functional unit of an organism, typically microscopic and consisting of cytoplasm and a nucleus enclosed in a membrane. Microscopic organisms typically consist of a single cell, which is either eukaryotic or prokaryotic

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Organelle

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Any of a number of organized or specialized structures within a living cell

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Photosynthesis

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The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthesis in plants generally involves the green pigment chlorophyll and generates oxygen as a byproduc

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Cell Respiration

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A chemical process in which oxygen is used to make energy from carbohydrates (sugars). Also called oxidative metabolism, aerobic metabolism and aerobic respiration.

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Glucose

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A simple sugar that is an important energy source in living organisms and is a component of many carbohydrates

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Carbohydrate

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Any of a large group of organic compounds occurring in foods and living tissues and including sugars, starch, and cellulose. They contain hydrogen and oxygen in the same ratio as water (2:1) and typically can be broken down to release energy in the animal body

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Amino Acid

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1. A simple organic compound containing both a carboxyl (COOH) and an amino (NH2) group

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Protein

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Any of a class of nitrogenous organic compounds that consist of large molecules composed of one or more long chains of amino acids and are an essential part of all living organisms, esp. as structural components of body tissues such as muscle, hair, collagen, etc., and as enzymes and antibodies

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Nucleic Acid

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A complex organic substance present in living cells, esp. DNA or RNA, whose molecules consist of many nucleotides linked in a long chain

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DNA

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Deoxyribonucleic acid, a self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information

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Lipid

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Any of a class of organic compounds that are fatty acids or their derivatives and are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. They include many natural oils, waxes, and steroids

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Organic Compound

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Any compound containing carbon atoms covalently bound to other atoms

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Organism

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An individual animal, plant, or single-celled life form

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Prokaryote

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A microscopic single-celled organism, including the bacteria and cyanobacteria, that has neither a distinct nucleus with a membrane nor other specialized organelles

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Eukaryote

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An organism consisting of a cell or cells in which the genetic material is DNA in the form of chromosomes contained within a distinct nucleus. Eukaryotes include all living organisms other than the eubacteria and archaebacteria