9B1 - Cells (AQA Biology GCSE)

Nucleus

Control centre of the cell

Cytoplasm

Jelly-like substance the cell organelles float in and where reactions occur

Cell membrane

A cell structure that controls which substances can enter or leave the cell.

Mitochondria

Where respiration takes place

Ribosomes

Makes proteins

Chloroplast

An organelle found in plant and algae cells where photosynthesis occurs

Vacuole

Plant cell organelle that stores cell sap

Plant cell wall

Strong, protective structure made from cellulose

Eukaryotic cells

Contain a nucleus and other organelles that are bound by membranes.

Prokaryotic cell

Cell that does not have a nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles.

Flagellum

A long, hairlike structure that grows out of a cell and enables the cell to move.

Plasmid

Small, circular piece of DNA located in the cytoplasm of many bacteria

Diffusion

Movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Organelle

A tiny cell structure that carries out a specific function within the cell

Cell

The basic unit of structure and function in living things

Tissue

A group of similar cells that perform the same function.

Organ

A collection of tissues that carry out a specialised function of the body

Organ System

Group of organs that work together to perform a specific function

Organism

A living thing

Magnification

An increase in the apparent size of an object

Magnification equation

Image size/actual size

Resolution

The ability to clearly distinguish the individual parts of an object

Eyepiece lens

Contains a lens that magnifies about 10x

Objective lens

The lens on a light microscope that is closest to the stage.

Microscope stage

Supports the slide being viewed

Microscope staining

A method used to clearly show the organelles in a cell, usually done with an indicator like Iodine

Microscope specimen

Something viewed with a microscope

Light microscope

Light passes through one or more lenses to produce an enlarged image of a specimen

Electron microscope

Microscope that forms an image by focusing beams of electrons onto a specimen

Red blood cells

Blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the body cells.

Sperm Cell

Male reproductive cell

Root hair cell

Absorbs water and mineral ions from the soil.

Nerve Cell

Carries electrical messages around the body

Cell differentiation

The process by which cells become different types of cells

Stomach

Organ of the digestive system

Heart

Organ that pumps blood throughout the body

Skin

Largest organ of the body

Nervous System

Body system that sends messages

Circulatory system

Body system transporting oxygen and glucose

Digestive System

Group of organs that digest food

Leaf

A plant organ

Xylem

A plant tissue carrying water

Phloem

A plant system carrying sugars

Exchange surfaces

Specially adapted surface where materials are exchanged

Alveoli

Air sacs in the lungs

Villi

Small fingerlike projections on the walls of the small intestines that increase surface area

Gills in fish

Exchange surface for oxygen

Yeast cells

a Eukaryotic cell with a cell wall but no chloroplasts

Plant cell

Contains a cell wall, chloroplast and large vacuole

Animal cell

Does not have a cell wall or chloroplast and a small vacuole