Unit 3 what is in your water

cell

smallest unit of life

Bacteria

single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus; prokaryotes

organelle

A tiny cell structure that carries out a specific function within the cell

molecule

A group of atoms bonded together

prokaryotic

Simple cells that do not have a nucleus

Eukaryotic

Complex cell with a nucleus (surrounded by its own membrane) and other internal organelles.

unicellular

A single celled organism

multicellular

Made up of more than one cell.

cell membrane

thin, flexible barrier around a cell; regulates what enters and leaves the cell

cytoplasm

A jellylike fluid inside the cell in which the organelles are suspended

ribosome

site of protein synthesis in the cell

chloroplast

An organelle found in plant and algae cells where photosynthesis occurs

nucleus

A part of the cell containing DNA and RNA and responsible for growth and reproduction

cell wall

strong, supporting layer around the cell membrane in some cells

autotrophs

Organisms that make their own food

heterotrophs

organisms that cannot make their own food

Protist

A eukaryotic organism that makes its own food or obtains food from other sources. Lives in colonies

Plant Cell

multicellular eukaryote that produces its own food through photosynthesis

Animal Cell

Eukaryotic and multicellular organisms that obtain their food from outside source. many complex organelles

surface water

Water that collects on the surface of the ground.

ground water

Water found below the Earth's surface.

contaminant

Something that causes impurity

dissolved solids

Materials and minerals dissolved in water.

Turbidity

cloudiness of water

microbe

microorganism

physical process of filtering/cleaning water

Water passes through filters with different hole sizes (such as gravel, sand, and charcoal) to remove debris and dissolved particles.

chemical process of filtering/cleaning water

Using positive and negative charged particles to attract dirt and other dissolved particles in the water.

biological process of filtering/cleaning water

Using bacterial to break down organic impurities in the water.