Biology Module 1 - Cells as the Basis of Life

Nucleus

Membrane-bound organelle containing DNA.

Mitochondria

Site of respiration and energy production in the form of ATP.

Cell Membrane

Semi-permeable layer that separates the inside and outside of the cell.

Lysosomes

Organelles containing digestive enzymes that break down foreign bodies.

Vesicle

Small membrane-bound structure that contains food or liquid.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Transports information from the nucleus to ribosomes.

Ribosomes

Sites of protein synthesis.

Golgi Apparatus

Controls the movement of large substances in and out of the cell.

Cell Wall

Rigid structure that provides support in plant cells.

Vacuole

Fluid-filled sac in plant cells used for water storage.

Chloroplast

Organelles that contain chlorophyll and are responsible for photosynthesis.

Cell Theory

States that all living organisms are composed of cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Prokaryotes

Unicellular organisms with no membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryotes

Mostly multicellular organisms with complex structures and membrane-bound organelles.

Organelle

Specialized structures within a cell that perform specific functions.

Cytoplasm

Gel-like substance where organelles are suspended.

Active Transport

Movement of substances from low to high concentration requiring energy.

Passive Transport

Movement of substances across a membrane without energy input.

Osmosis

Movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane.

Diffusion

Movement of molecules from high concentration to low concentration.

Facilitated Diffusion

Movement of larger or charged molecules through transport proteins.

Endocytosis

Process of engulfing large particles into a cell.

Exocytosis

Process of expelling substances from a cell.

Surface Area to Volume Ratio

Important for efficient exchange of materials in cells.

Macromolecules

Large molecules essential for life, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

ATP

Energy currency of the cell, produced during cellular respiration.

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.

Enzymes

Proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions by lowering activation energy.

Lock and Key Model

Enzyme activity model where the substrate fits perfectly into the active site.

Induced Fit Model

Enzyme activity model where the enzyme changes shape to fit the substrate.