Cell Structure and Function

nucleus

control center of the cell; directs all the cell's activities

nucleolus

located in the nucleus; where ribosomes are made

endoplasmic reticulum

has passageways where proteins and other materials are assembled and moved to other places in the cell

Golgi apparatus

packages proteins and other materials received from the ER for distribution

cell membrane

surrounds every cell; controls what enters and exits the cell

cytoplasm

thick gel-like fluid that fills the region between the cell membrane and the nucleus

cell wall

surround the cells of plants; helps protect and support the plant cell

mitochondria

"powerhouses" of the cell; release energy for the cell to live and function

chloroplasts

contain chlorophyll; capture energy from sunlight to make food

vacuoles

store water, food, and other materials; very large in plant cells and very tiny in animal cells

ribosomes

make proteins for the cell; found on the ER or in the cytoplasm

lysosomes

use chemicals to break down food particles and recycle wastes and worn out cell parts

cytoskeleton

helps a cell keep its shape

prokaryotic cell

cell that does not have a nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles. (ex: bacteria)

eukaryotic cell

cell that has a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles (ex: plants and animals)

organelles

tiny cell structures that carry specific functions (jobs) within the eukaryotic cell

DNA

hereditary material; directs the cell's functions and production of proteins

cell theory

a widely accepted explanation of the relationship between cells and living things

Organic compounds

Carbohydrates Nucleic Acids Proteins Lipids

Polar

neutral about water

Hydrophilic

Likes water

Hydrophobic

Dislikes water

Cohesion

attraction of water molecules to each other

Adhesion

attraction of water molecules to other types of molecules

Capillary action

cohesion and adhesion act together

Diffusion

no energy, high to low

Facilitated diffusion

high to low across membrane

active transport

low to high with atp energy