2.1-2.3, 2.10, 2.11 Cell structure and function

cell wall

Rigid cell covering made 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

chloroplast

Plant cell organelle that carries out photosynthesis

chromatin

Protein-DNA complex that serves as the building material of chromosomes

chromosome

Structure within the nucleus that is made up of chromatin that contains DNA, the hereditary material

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

Network of protein fibers that collectively maintain the shape of the cell, secure some organelles in specific positions, allow cytoplasm and vesicles to move within the cell, and enable unicellular organisms to move independently

cytosol

Gel-like material of the cytoplasm in which cell structures are suspended

endomembrane system

Group of organelles and membranes in eukaryotic cells that work together modifying, packaging, and transporting lipids and proteins

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 (primarily collagen, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans) secreted from animal cells that provides mechanical protection and anchoring for the cells in the tissue

Golgi apparatus

Eukaryotic organelle made up of a series of stacked membranes that sorts, tags, and packages lipids and proteins for distribution

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

mitochondria

Cellular organelles responsible for carrying out cellular respiration, resulting in the production of ATP, the cell's main energy-carrying molecule

nuclear envelope

Double-membrane structure that constitutes the outermost portion of the nucleus

nucleoid

Central part of a prokaryotic cell in which the chromosome is found

nucleolus

Darkly staining body within the nucleus that is responsible for assembling the subunits of the ribosomes

nucleus

Cell organelle that houses the cell's DNA and directs the synthesis of ribosomes and proteins

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, that separates the internal content of the cell from its surrounding environment

prokaryote

Uni cellular organism that lacks a nucleus or any other membrane-bound organelle

ribosome

Cellular structure that carries out protein synthesis

rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)

Region of the endoplasmic reticulum that is studded with ribosomes and engages in protein modification and phospholipid synthesis

smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)

Region of the endoplasmic reticulum that has few or no ribosomes on its cytoplasmic surface and synthesizes carbohydrates, lipids, and steroid hormones; detoxifies certain chemicals (like pesticides, preservatives, medications, and environmental pollutants), and stores calcium ions

vacuole

Membrane-bound sac, somewhat larger than a vesicle, which functions in cellular storage and transport

vesicle

Small, membrane-bound sac that functions in cellular storage and transport; its membrane is capable of fusing with the plasma membrane and the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus

centrosome

Region in animal cells made of two centrioles

chlorophyll

Green pigment that captures the light energy that drives the light reactions of photosynthesis