Biology Chapter 8: Cell Structure, Transport, and Homeostasis

What is the smallest living unit of any organism?

The cell.

What does the cell theory state?

All living things are made up of cells; cells are the basic units of structure and function in living things; and new cells are produced from existing cells.

When were cells discovered?

In the 1600s.

What type of microscope can show cell structures as small as 1 billionth of a meter?

Electron microscopes.

What do all cells contain at some point?

DNA.

What surrounds all cells?

A cell membrane.

How do eukaryotic cells differ from prokaryotic cells?

Eukaryotic cells are usually larger and more complex, and they have a nucleus that separates genetic material from the rest of the cell.

What is the function of the nucleus in eukaryotic cells?

It contains nearly all the cell's DNA and controls cell activities.

What is the role of ribosomes in cells?

They are involved in protein synthesis.

What is the function of the Golgi apparatus?

It sorts and packages proteins and lipids for use inside or outside the cell.

What do vacuoles store in cells?

Water, salts, proteins, and carbohydrates.

What are lysosomes responsible for?

They contain enzymes to break down nutrients in the cell.

What is the cytoskeleton's role in eukaryotic cells?

It maintains the cell's shape and is involved in movement.

What do chloroplasts do in plant cells?

They use sunlight to convert chemical energy into energy-rich compounds.

What surrounds the cell membranes of plant, fungal, and prokaryotic cells?

Cell walls.

What is homeostasis?

The relatively constant internal physical and chemical conditions of an organism.

What is passive transport?

The movement of molecules across the cell membrane without the use of energy.

What occurs during diffusion?

Substances move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

What is facilitated diffusion?

The movement of molecules through protein channels in the cell membrane.

What are aquaporins?

Channels that allow water to move through the cell membrane during osmosis.

What is an isotonic solution?

A solution where the concentration is the same on both sides of a membrane.

What is active transport?

The movement of material against a concentration difference that requires energy.

What is endocytosis?

The process by which larger molecules enter the cell.

What is exocytosis?

The process by which larger molecules exit the cell.

What is a tissue?

A group of similar cells that perform a function.

What is an organ?

A structure made up of many groups of tissues that work together.

What is an organ system?

A group of organs that work together to carry out a task.