Cell Structure & Function

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to cell structure and functions.

Membrane

Thin, sheet-like structures that form boundaries in cells and cell organelles.

Phospholipid Bilayer

The basic structure of a membrane, consisting of two layers of phospholipids.

Amphipathic Molecules

Molecules that have both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts.

Selectively Permeable

A property of membranes that allows certain substances to pass while blocking others.

Fluid Mosaic Model

A model describing the structure of cell membranes as a mosaic of various components that can move fluidly.

Active Transport

The movement of substances against their concentration gradient, requiring energy.

Facilitated Diffusion

The process of passive transport of molecules across the cell membrane via protein channels.

Endocytosis

The process by which cells take in materials by engulfing them in a vesicle.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water across a semi-permeable membrane.

Glycoprotein

A protein that has carbohydrate chains attached, functioning in cell recognition and signaling.

Cytoskeleton

A network of protein fibers that helps the cell maintain its shape and enables movement.

Mitochondria

Organelles that are the primary site of ATP production in eukaryotic cells.

Chloroplasts

Organelles in plant cells that are responsible for photosynthesis.

Lysosome

A membrane-bound organelle containing hydrolytic enzymes for breaking down macromolecules.

Peroxisome

An organelle that breaks down fatty acids and amino acids, producing hydrogen peroxide.