Biology Module 6 The Cell

Absorption

The transport of dissolved substances into cells

Plasma Membrane

The semipermeable membrane between the cell’s contents and either the cell wall or the cell’s surroundings

Pinocytic vesicle

A vesicle formed at the plasma membrane to allow the absorption of large molecules

Secretion

The release of biosynthesized substances

Biosynthesis

The process by which living organisms produce larger molecules from smaller ones

Secretion Vesicle

A vesicle that holds secretion products so that they can be transported to the plasma membrane and released

Golgi Bodies

The organelles where proteins and lipids are stored and then modified to suit the needs of the cell

Ribosomes

Non-membrane bounded organelles responsible for protein synthesis

Rough ER

ER that is dotted with ribosomes

Endoplasmic reticulum

An organelle composed of an extensive network of folded membranes that performs several tasks with the cell

Smooth ER

ER that has no ribosomes

Waste Vacuoles

Vacuoles that contain the waste products of digestion

Excretion

The removal of soluble waste materials

Egestion

The removal of non-soluble waste materials

Lysosome

The organelle in animal cells responsible for hydrolysis reactions that break down proteins, polysaccharides, disaccharides, and some lipids

Digestion

The breakdown of absorbed substances

Phagocytosis

The process by which a cell engulfs foreign substances or other cells

Phagocytic Vacuole

A vacuole that holds the matter in which a cell engulfs

Central Vacuole

A vacuole that rests at the center of most plant cells and is filled with a solution that contains a high concentration of solutes

Homeostasis

Maintaining the status quo (Maintaining a stable internal balance of all the cells)

Irritability

The ability of a cell to sense and respond to changes in its environment and surroundings

The Cytoplasm

A jelly-like fluid inside the cell in which the organelles are suspended

Cytoplasmic Streaming

The motion of cytoplasm in a cell that results in a coordinated movement of the cell’s contents

Microfilaments

Fine, threadlike proteins found in the cell’s cytoskeleton

Intermediate filaments

Threadlike proteins in the cell’s cytoskeleton that are roughly twice as thick as microfilaments

Cytoskeleton

A network of fibers that holds the cell together, helps the cell to keep its shape, and aids in movement

Microtubules

Spiral strands of protein molecules that form a tube-like structure

Reproduction

Producing more cells

The Cell Wall

A rigid structure on the outside of certain cells, usually plant or bacteria cells

Middle Lamella

A thin film between the cell walls of adjacent plant cells

Nuclear membrane

A highly porous membrane that separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm

Chromatin

Clusters of DNA, RNA, and proteins in the nucleus of a cell

Mitochondria

The organelles in which nutrients are converted to energy

Respiration

The breakdown of food molecules with a release of energy

Chromoplasts

Organelles that contain pigments used in photosynthesis

Leucoplasts

Organelles that store starches or oils

Cytology

The study of cells