Eukaryotic Cell Organelles

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key organelles, structures, and processes discussed in the lecture notes on eukaryotic cells.

Cell Membrane

Phospholipid bilayer that regulates the entry and exit of substances, allowing essentials like oxygen and nutrients while blocking harmful drugs and toxins.

Membrane-Bound Organelles

Specialized cell structures surrounded by membranes that categorises functions within eukaryotic cells.

Nucleus

Control center of the cell that directs protein synthesis, thereby determining cellular structure and function.

Nuclear Envelope

Double membrane surrounding the nucleus, containing pores that permit selective exchange of materials between nucleus and cytoplasm.

Nucleolus

Dense, non-membranous region inside the nucleus where ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is synthesized.

Mitochondria

Organelles that perform the latter stages of cellular respiration and generate most of the cell’s ATP; abundant in energy-demanding cells like muscle and sperm.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

Network of membrane channels studded with ribosomes; synthesizes proteins and packages them into vesicles for transport.

Vesicle

Small, membrane-bound sac that transports substances within or out of the cell.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

Membrane network lacking ribosomes; synthesizes lipids, detoxifies drugs, produces carbohydrates, and stores calcium ions.

Golgi Bodies (Golgi Apparatus)

Stacked membranous sacs that modify, package, and secrete proteins and carbohydrates, dispatching them in vesicles for exocytosis.

Exocytosis

Process by which vesicles fuse with the cell membrane to release their contents into the extracellular environment.

Peroxisome

Small organelle containing oxidative and digestive enzymes that break down toxic molecules (e.g., H₂O₂) and participate in lipid metabolism.

Lysosome

Vesicle produced by the Golgi body containing digestive enzymes used to recycle cell parts or trigger apoptosis.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death initiated, in part, by lysosomal enzyme release in damaged or aged cells.

Vacuole

Storage organelle; large in plant cells for water, nutrient, and waste storage, smaller in animal cells for temporary storage.