animal and plant cells

Flashcards for key vocabulary and concepts related to cell structures and functions.

Centrioles

Organelles present in animal cells but absent in plant cells, involved in cell division.

Centrosomes

Structures present in animal cells but absent in plant cells, organizing the motion of chromosomes during cell division.

Lysosomes

Organelles present in animal cells but absent in plant cells, filled with digestive enzymes.

Cell Wall

A rigid outer layer present in plant cells but absent in animal cells, providing structural support and protection.

Chloroplasts

Organelles present in plant cells but absent in animal cells, conducting photosynthesis.

Plasmodesmata

Channels present in plant cells but absent in animal cells, allowing communication between cells.

Plastids

Organelles present in plant cells for storage, absent in animal cells.

Large Central Vacuole

A large storage organelle present in plant cells but absent in animal cells.

Prokaryotic Cell

A unicellular cell type.

Eukaryotic Cell

A multicellular cell type.

Prokaryotic Membrane

A cell with one membrane.

Eukaryotic Membrane

A cell with two membranes.

Prokaryotic Cell Type

A bacterium.

Eukaryotic Cell Type

An organism consisting of many cells.

Cytoplasm

Everything between the nuclear membrane and the cell membrane.

Centriole

Structure that organizes motion of chromosomes.

Lysosome

Sac filled with digestive chemicals.

Mitochondria

Structures that convert nutrients to energy.

Cell Membrane

Membrane that surrounds and protects the cell.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Passageways where chemicals are made.

Vacuole

Sac that stores water, nutrients, or waste products.

Nucleus

Structure that contains DNA and regulates genes.

Cytoskeleton

Tubules and filaments that give the cell its shape.

Ribosome

Small structure that synthesizes proteins.

Nuclear Membrane

Membrane that protects the nucleus.

Golgi Apparatus

Stack of membranes that package chemicals.

Nucleolus

Structure that manufactures ribosomes.

Cell Wall

Provides structural support and protection; maintains the shape of the cell (in plant cells).

Cytoplasm

Jelly-like substance that holds organelles in place and facilitates chemical reactions.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Transports proteins and lipids throughout the cell; rough ER has ribosomes for protein synthesis, smooth ER synthesizes lipids.

Cell Membrane

Regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell; maintains homeostasis.

Nucleus

Contains the cell’s genetic material (DNA) and controls the cell’s activities.

Chloroplasts

Conducts photosynthesis to convert light energy into chemical energy (found only in plant cells).

Ribosomes

Synthesize proteins by translating genetic instructions from mRNA.

Nuclear Membrane

Protects the nucleus and regulates the movement of substances in and out of the nucleus.

Golgi Apparatus

Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for delivery to different parts of the cell.

Amyloplasts

Store starch in plant cells.

Mitochondria

Generate energy for the cell through cellular respiration, producing ATP.

Cytoskeleton

Provides structural support, maintains cell shape, and facilitates cell movement and division.

Vacuole

Stores water, nutrients, and waste products; helps maintain turgor pressure in plant cells.

Peroxisomes

Break down fatty acids, detoxify harmful substances, and neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Animal Cells

Cells that have centrioles, centrosomes and lysosomes.

Plant Cells

Cells that have a cell wall, chloroplasts, plasmodesmata, plastids used for storage, and a large central vacuole.

Unicellular

Consisting of a single cell.

Multicellular

Consisting of multiple cells.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; the genetic material of the cell.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate; the energy currency of the cell.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment.

Turgor Pressure

The pressure exerted by water inside a plant cell against the cell wall.

ROS

Reactive Oxygen Species

Cell Division

The process by which a cell divides into two daughter cells.

Protein Synthesis

The process by which cells create proteins.

Genetic Material

The hereditary material in a cell.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells generate energy by breaking down glucose.

mRNA

Messenger RNA; a type of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to ribosomes.

Homeostasis

maintaining a stable internal environment