Eukaryotic Cell Structure and Organelles

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing eukaryotic cell organelles and structures based on lecture notes.

Golgi apparatus

A stack of flattened, membrane-bound sacs called cisternae that modifies, stores, and transports lipids, adds carbohydrates to proteins to form glycoproteins, secretes carbohydrates, produces enzymes like pancreatic ones, and forms lysosomes.

Cis face

The face of the Golgi apparatus where membrane is constantly being added.

Eukaryotic cells

RNA

Trans face

The face of the Golgi apparatus where membrane is constantly budding off.

Matrix

A viscous fluid in mitochondria that is half water and half protein; it contains respiration enzymes, DNA (allowing mitochondria to control protein production), and rRNA (so DNA can create ribosomes).

Endoplasmic reticulum

Sheet-like membranes spreading through the cytoplasm that are continuous with the outer nuclear membrane, containing fluid-filled internal areas called cisternae.

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

Endoplasmic reticulum covered with ribosomes on its outer surfaces that synthesises proteins and glycoproteins and transports them through the cell via its cisternae.

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Endoplasmic reticulum lacking surface ribosomes that is more tubular in shape and functions to synthesise, store, and transport lipids.

Nucleolus

A structure of densely packed fibres and granules containing lots of RNA that manufactures ribosomal RNA and manufactures ribosomes.

Mitochondria

Rod-shaped organelles $1\text{-}10 \times 10^{-6}\text{ m}$ ($1\text{-}10\text{ }\frac{1}{1000000}\text{m}$) in length that serve as the site of aerobic respiration to create ATP, all inherited from your mother.

Cristae

Folds formed by the inner membrane of mitochondria that can resemble the fingers of a glove or sheets.

Outer membrane (mitochondria)

The membrane that controls the entry and exit of material to and from the mitochondrion.

Nucleus

The largest of the organelles, containing hereditary material and controlling cell activities; it makes messenger RNA and ribosomal RNA.

mRNA

Messenger RNA that copies short sections of DNA and carries genetic information to the ribosomes.

Nuclear pore

Holes in the nuclear envelope (around $3{,}000$ per nucleus, each $40\text{-}100\text{ nm}$ in diameter) that allow larger molecules such as messenger RNA to leave the nucleus.

Nucleoplasm

Also known as nuclear sap, a granular, jelly-like substance inside the nucleus.

Chromatin

DNA state when chromosomes are not dividing, described as looking like rice noodles in soup.

Ribosomes

Structures that manufacture proteins.