Cell Vocabulary

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Active transport- A process of transporting particles that requires the cell to use energy.

Amoeba- a term used to describe protests that move by crawling

Cells- the smallest unit that can perform all of life processes

Cell Cycle- the life cycle of a cell

Cell Membrane- a protective layer that covers a cell’s surface and acts as a barrier

Cell Theory- the idea that all living things are made of cells, cells are the basic unit of structure and function in all living things, and that living cells come from living cells

Cell Wall- a rigid structure that surrounds the cell membrane in plants and provides support to the cell

Cellular Respiration- the process by which a cell uses oxygen to produce energy from food

Chromosomes- organized structure of DNA and protein that are found in cells

Chloroplasts- contain chlorophyll, changes sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to sugar and oxygen

Ciliates- are complex protists and have hundreds of hair like structures known as cilia which are used for motion

Cytoplasm- jelly like substance that is enclosed within the plasma membrane of a cell

Diffusion- a net transport of molecules from a region of higher concentration to one of lower concentration by random molecular motion

Endocytosis- the process by which cells absorb material from outside the cell by engulfing (wrapping around) it with their cell membrane

Endoplasmic reticulum- The rough one has ribosomes that make proteins, the ER then transports the proteins to where they are needed

Eukaryotes- an organism whose cells have membrane bound organelles

Exocytosis- the durable process by which a cell directs the contents of secretory vesicles out of the cell membrane (like a pimple popping)

Feedback mechanism- a series of events that trigger another series of events in response to the first set of events

Fermentation- the process of energy production in a cell under anaerobic conditions (without oxygen)

Flagellates-  are cells with one or more whip-like organelles.

Golgi bodies- are an organelle found in most eukaryotic cells packages the large molecules and takes them to where they are needed (like a trucking company).

Homeostasis- refers to the body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment in response to fluctuations/changes in the outside environment and the weather.

Lysosome- are organelles containing digestive enzymes.

Meiosis- is a process of cell division in (in sex cells) which the number of chromosomes per cell is halved.

Metabolism- is the set of chemical reactions that occur in living organisms in order to maintain life.

Mitochondria- a membrane-enclosed organelle found in most eukaryotic cells.

Mitosis- is a process of cell division (in regular cells) in which a eukaryotic cell separates the chromosomes in its cell nucleus, into two identical sets in two daughter nuclei.

Multicellular organisms- are organisms consisting of more than one cell.

Nuclear Membranes- is a double lipid bilayer (thin membrane made of two layers of lipid molecules) that encloses the genetic material in eukaryotic cells….layer around the nucleus

Nucleolus- non-membrane bound structure composed of protein and nucleic acids found within the nucleus.

Nucleus- membrane-bound organelle that contains the cell’s DNA and that has a role in processes such as growth, metabolism and reproduction.

Organ- is a tissue that performs a specific function or group of functions within an organism.    (order of things…….. cell-tissue-organ-system-organism)

Organ System- are composed of two or more different organs that work together to provide a common function.

Organelles- a specialized area of a cell that does a specific job, like an organ for an organism.

Osmosis- diffusion of water across a membrane.

Passive transport- the movement of molecules/materials across the cell or membrane without the input of energy.

Permeable- pores or openings that allow liquids or gasses to pass through them

Photosynthesis- the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to make food

Prokaryote- an organism that consists of a single cell that does not have a nucleus

Protist- an organism that belongs to the kingdom Protista

Pseudopods- “false foot” used for movement in a single celled organism

Ribosome- a cell organelle composed of RNA and proteins; the site of protein synthesis

Tissue- a group of similar cells that perform a common function (cell, tissue, organ, system, organism)

Vacuoles- a membrane-bond sac that plays roles in intercellular digestion and the release of cellular waste products, stores nutrients and waste products, like a storage container