Cells - Study Guide

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts regarding cell structure and function.

Plasma (Cell) Membrane

Surrounds the cell; controls what enters and leaves.

Cytoplasm

Jelly-like fluid inside the cell; holds organelles and many reactions occur here.

Nucleus

Control center of the cell; contains DNA.

Phospholipid Bilayer

Two layers of phospholipids; phosphate heads are hydrophilic and fatty acid tails are hydrophobic.

Homeostasis

The importance of the cell membrane as a selective barrier that maintains internal balance.

Semipermeable

Allows some substances to pass while blocking others.

Organelles

Specialized structures within a cell that perform specific functions.

Mitochondria

Organelle that produces ATP (energy) for the cell.

Ribosomes

Cell machinery responsible for protein synthesis.

Golgi Apparatus

Modifies, packages, and ships proteins within the cell.

Passive Transport

Movement of substances across the membrane without the use of ATP, moving from high to low concentration.

Active Transport

Movement of substances against their concentration gradient, requiring ATP.

Mitosis

The division of the nucleus, crucial for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm following mitosis.

PMAT

Acronym for the stages of mitosis: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase.