Lesson 2: The Importance of Cells - Discovering the Building Blocks

Comprehensive vocabulary review flashcards covering cell structure, plant and animal cell differences, organelle functions, nutrient transport mechanisms, cellular respiration, and photosynthesis.

Cell

The basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms, serving as the foundation for life and vital processes such as growth, repair, and reproduction.

Organelle

A specialized part of a cell that performs a specific function essential for cellular life and operations.

Plasma Membrane

A membrane found in both plant and animal cells that encloses the cell, separates the cytoplasm from its surroundings, and regulates what enters and leaves the cell.

Nuclear Envelope

A membrane structure present in both plant and animal cells that separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm.

Nucleus

A membrane-bound cell organelle present in both plant and animal cells that stores DNA and makes mRNA.

Nucleolus

A specialized structure located inside the nucleus of both plant and animal cells where mRNA is made.

Cytoplasm

The interior part of the cell made up of fluid that cushions and supports all the organelles in both plant and animal cells.

Mitochondria

The 'powerhouse' organelles of both plant and animal cells that facilitate cellular respiration, generating energy in the form of $ATP$ along their inner membranes.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

An organelle found in both plant and animal cells that processes and modifies proteins that were made in the nucleolus.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle found in both plant and animal cells that packages proteins into vesicles for export throughout the cell.

Lysosome

An organelle containing digestive enzymes that clean up the cell by breaking down waste and cellular debris.

Ribosome

A cell structure present in both plant and animal cells that aids in protein synthesis.

Vacuole

An organelle that helps with the digestion of materials, stores nutrients, and maintains cell pressure (exists as a large central vacuole in plants and numerous small vacuoles in animal cells).

Cell Wall

A rigid outer layer present in plant cells that supports and maintains cell shape, protects the cell from damage, and connects to nearby cells.

Chloroplast

The plant cell organelle containing chlorophyll that captures sunlight to produce food (carbohydrates) through photosynthesis.

Cytoskeleton

An internal cellular network in both plant and animal cells that helps maintain cell shape and aids in the movement of materials inside the cell.

Centriole

An animal cell structure that helps form the spindle fibers used to move chromosomes during mitosis.

Digestion Breakdown

The initial animal nutrient intake stage where the digestive system breaks down ingested food into simple molecules.

Nutrient Absorption

The physiological process by which simple nutrient molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to cells throughout the body.

Cellular Utilization

The biochemical process in cells of transforming absorbed nutrients into energy to power cellular functions like growth, repair, reproduction, and homeostasis.

Diffusion

A passive transport mechanism by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Osmosis

A transport process in which water molecules pass through a selectively permeable membrane.

Active Transport

A cellular transport mechanism where energy is expended to move substances across a membrane against concentration gradients.

Cellular Respiration

The metabolic process occurring in mitochondria where glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$) and oxygen ($O_2$) are converted into energy ($ATP$), carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), and water ($H_2O$).

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

The primary energy currency of the cell produced by cellular respiration that fuels essential biological processes including movement, growth, repair, and reproduction.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plant cells use chloroplasts to convert sunlight energy, carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), and water ($H_2O$) into chemical energy in the form of glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$) and oxygen ($O_2$).