AP Biology Unit 2 Vocab

Organelles

Any of several membrane-enclosed structures with specialized functions, suspended in the cytosol of eukaryotic cell

Chloroplast

An organelle found in plants and photosynthetic protists that absorbs sunlight and uses it to drive the synthesis of organic compounds from carbon dioxide and water

Nucleus

The organelles of a eukaryotic cell that contains the genetic material in the form of chromosomes, made up of chromatin.

Smooth ER

The portion of the endoplasmic reticulum that is free of ribosomes

Cytoplasm

The contents of cell bounded by the plasma membrane; the gel-like fluid of the inside of the cell

Selective Permeability

A property of cell membranes that allows some substances to pass through, while others cannot

Plasma membrane 

a phospholipid bilayer that surrounds the cell, allowing materials to enter and leave the cell; acts as a barrier between the cell and its environment

Prokaryotic Cells

A type of cell lacking a membrane-enclosed nucleus and membrane-enclosed organelles.

Rough ER

The portion of the endoplasmic reticulum with ribosomes attached

Pinocytosis

A type of endocytosis in which the cell ingests extracellular fluid and its dissolved solutes.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelles in eukaryotic cells that modify, store, and route products of the E.R. and synthesize some products

Eukaryotic Cells

Larger, complex cells with a nucleus and other membrane bound organelles

Passive Transport

The movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of energy by the cell

Lysosomes

a membrane- enclosed sac of hydrolytic enzymes found in the cytoplasm of animal cells and some protists.

Mitochondria

an organelle in a eukaryotic cell that serves as the site of cellular respiration, uses oxygen to break down organic molecules and synthesize ATP.

Active Transport

The movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane into a region of higher concentration, assisted by enzymes and requiring energy

Isotonic 

referring to a solution that, when surrounding a cell, causes no net movement of water into or out of the cell

Phagocytosis

A type of endocytosis in which large particulate substances or small organisms are taken up by a cell.

Hypotonic

Referring to a solution that, when surrounding a cell, will cause the cell to take in water

Osmosis 

The diffusion of free water across a selectively permeable membrane