Eukaryotic Cell – Mitochondria, Chloroplasts, and Cytoskeleton

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to mitochondria, chloroplasts, and the cytoskeleton observed in eukaryotic cells.

Mitochondria

Sites of cellular respiration in eukaryotic cells.

Chloroplasts

Organelles found in plants and algae that are the sites of photosynthesis.

Peroxisomes

Oxidative organelles that carry out oxidation reactions.

Cytoskeleton

A network of fibers that organizes structures and activities in the cell.

Microtubules

Thick fibers of the cytoskeleton responsible for maintaining cell shape and facilitating motility.

Microfilaments

Thin fibers composed of actin that help in maintaining cell shape and are involved in muscle contraction.

Intermediate Filaments

Fiber components of the cytoskeleton that provide structural support and anchor organelles.

Cristae

Folded inner membrane of mitochondria that increases surface area for ATP synthesis.

Chlorophyll

Green pigment found in chloroplasts necessary for photosynthesis.

Cilia

Short, hair-like structures that aid in movement of cells and substances.

Flagella

Long, whip-like structures that allow for swimming movements of some cells.

Tubulin

Protein subunits that compose microtubules.

Actin

Protein subunits that form microfilaments.

Dynein

Motor protein that drives the bending movements of cilia and flagella.

Cytoplasmic streaming

The circular flow of cytoplasm within cells that facilitates material distribution.

Mitochondrial Matrix

The space within the inner membrane of mitochondria where some metabolic reactions occur.

Stroma

The internal fluid of chloroplasts where the Calvin cycle takes place.