Cell Biology: Animal, Plant, and Bacterial Structures

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering the characteristics and components of animal, plant, and bacterial cells.

Nucleus

The component of the cell that is responsible for controlling cell activities.

Cytoplasm

The part of the cell where chemical reactions occur.

Cell membrane

The structure that controls the entry and exit of substances in a cell.

Mitochondria

Known as the powerhouse for respiration within the cell.

Ribosomes

The cell components responsible for protein synthesis.

Cell wall

A structure found in plant and bacterial cells used for support; in plants, it gives the cell a rectangular shape.

Vacuole

A large structure in plant cells used for containing cell sap.

Chloroplasts

Organelles in plant cells that contain chlorophyll for photosynthesis.

Flagella

Structures used by bacterial cells for movement.

Bacterial genetic material

DNA found in a 'loop' and plasmids rather than a distinct nucleus.

Plasmids

Small loops of DNA found in bacterial cells.

Specialised cells

Specific cell types mentioned include sperm and egg cells.

Bacterial diseases

Diseases such as tuberculosis and cholera mentioned in relation to bacterial cells.