Cell Structure and Function

Vocabulary flashcards covering organelles, their membranes, components, and specific functions in plant, animal, prokaryotic, and eukaryotic cells.

Rough ER

A eukaryotic organelle with a single membrane containing receptors and branching sacs; it functions in protein processing and is found in both plant and animal cells.

Ribosomes

Structures with no membrane made of RNA and proteins that perform protein synthesis; found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells (plant and animal).

Smooth ER

A eukaryotic organelle with a single membrane and branching sacs that functions in calcium storage, lipid synthesis, and contains enzymes; found in both plant and animal cells.

Golgi Apparatus

Known as the "Post Office" of the cell; a single-membrane organelle with receptors and a stack of flat sacs used for protein processing in both plant and animal cells.

Lysosomes

Single-membrane eukaryotic organelles containing proton pumps and enzymes used for digestion and recycling; found specifically in animal cells.

Nucleus

A eukaryotic organelle with a double membrane ("envelope") containing chromosomes and genetic info with openings called "pores"; found in both plant and animal cells.

Nucleolus

A component within the nucleus that functions as a ribosome factory.

Nuclear Lamina

A structure within the nucleus that provides structural support.

Peroxisomes

Single-membrane eukaryotic organelles with transporters and enzymes that perform oxidation reactions and process peroxide; found in both plant and animal cells.

Vacuoles

Single-membrane eukaryotic organelles with transporters used for storage of pigments, oils, carbohydrates, water, and toxins; they provide coloration and are found in plant cells.

Mitochondria

Double-membrane eukaryotic organelles (inner and outer) containing enzymes for $ATP$ synthesis and cellular respiration; found in both plant and animal cells.

Cristae

The internal folds of the inner membrane of the mitochondria.

Chloroplasts

Double-membrane eukaryotic organelles in plants containing pigments and enzymes for $ATP$ and sugar synthesis via photosynthesis; contains thylakoids.

Thylakoids

Membrane structures within chloroplasts that stack to form granum.

Cytoskeleton

A structure with no membrane made of actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules; functions in structural support, movement of materials, and moving the whole cell.

Plasma Membrane

A single-membrane phospholipid bilayer with transport and receptor proteins; it provides selective permeability and maintains the intracellular environment in all cell types.

Cell Wall

A structure with no membrane made of carbohydrate fibers that provides protection and structural support; found in plants and both prokaryotic/eukaryotic organisms.

Centrosome

A eukaryotic organelle with no membrane containing centrioles; it functions in microtubule initiation and the mitotic spindle in animal cells.

Cytosol

The internal environment of the cell consisting of water, ions, and macromolecules that holds things in place; found in all cell types.

Tonoplast

The membrane surrounding the vacuole in a plant cell.

Plasmodesmata

Channels through the cell walls of plant cells that allow for transport and communication between them.

Chromatin

The material consisting of RNA, DNA, and proteins that makes up chromosomes within the nucleus.