Differences in Eukaryotic Cell Structure

These flashcards provide key vocabulary and definitions related to eukaryotic cell structure differences among animals, fungi, and plants.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that contain a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Prokaryotic Cells

Cells that do not contain a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.

Cell Wall

A rigid layer that provides support and protection to the cell, found in plants and fungi.

Chloroplast

An organelle found in plant cells that conducts photosynthesis.

Vacuole

A membrane-bound organelle that stores substances, often large in plant cells.

Ribosomes

Molecular machines that synthesize proteins, found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Centrioles

Cylindrical structures involved in cell division, found in animal cells.

Cellulose

A carbohydrate that forms the primary component of plant cell walls.

Chitin

A structural polysaccharide that composes the cell walls of fungi.

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food, such as plants.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that consume others for food, such as animals.

Saprotrophs

Organisms that obtain nutrients by decomposing organic matter, such as fungi.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

An organelle that assists in the synthesis and transport of proteins and lipids.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for secretion.

Mitochondria

Organelles that produce ATP, often referred to as the powerhouse of the cell.

Eukarya

The domain that includes all eukaryotic organisms.

Multicellular Organisms

Organisms that consist of more than one cell, exhibiting cellular differentiation.

Atypical Cells

Cells that do not conform to typical structural features, such as red blood cells and skeletal muscle fibers.

Plastids

Double-membrane organelles involved in the manufacture and storage of food; common in plant cells.

Biofilm

A group of microorganisms in which cells stick to each other on a surface.

What is precipitation?

Precipitation is any form of water, liquid or solid, that falls from clouds and reaches the ground.

What is condensation?

Condensation is the process by which water vapor in the air cools and changes back into liquid, forming clouds.

What is collection in the water cycle?

Collection is the process where water gathers in bodies of water like rivers, lakes, and oceans after precipitation.

What is transpiration?

Transpiration is the process by which water is absorbed by plants and later evaporated into the atmosphere.

What role does the sun play in the water cycle?

The sun provides energy that drives evaporation and influences weather patterns, fueling the water cycle.