Cell Biology, Organelles, and Photosynthesis

Practice vocabulary flashcards covering plant and animal cell organelles, transport mechanisms across cell membranes, energy transformations, photosynthesis, and ecological cellular adaptations.

Organelle

A specialized cell structure inside the cell that performs a specific job or function to keep the cell alive and maintain homeostasis.

Homeostasis

The internal balance of a cell or organism maintained by organelles working together to carry out life processes.

Cell Membrane

A phospholipid bilayer structure that controls and regulates the movement of materials into and out of the cell.

Cytoplasm

The jelly-like fluid that fills the cell, holds organelles in place, and allows chemical reactions to occur.

Nucleus

An organelle that stores DNA (nucleic acids) and controls cell activities.

Ribosome

A cellular structure that synthesizes (makes) proteins using genetic instructions provided by the nucleus.

Mitochondria

The organelle found in both plant and animal cells that converts food/glucose into usable cellular energy in the form of $ATP$.

Large / Central Vacuole

An organelle prominent in plant cells that acts as a storage site for water, nutrients, and waste materials.

Cell Wall

A rigid outer layer present in plant cells (and absent in animal cells) that protects the cell and provides it with a rigid shape.

Chloroplast

A plant-specific organelle containing chlorophyll that captures solar/sunlight energy and converts it into chemical energy (glucose) via photosynthesis.

Chlorophyll

The green pigment found inside chloroplasts; a decrease in this pigment directly results in a decrease in glucose and oxygen production.

Photosynthesis

The biological process in plant cells that converts solar energy (sunlight), carbon dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$), and water ($\text{H}_2\text{O}$) into chemical energy stored in glucose ($\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6$) and oxygen ($\text{O}_2$).

Enzymes

Biological catalysts required to speed up chemical reactions, including the reactions of photosynthesis.

Guard Cells (Stomata)

Specialized plant cells that open and close pores in leaves to directly regulate water loss.

Active Transport

The cellular process of pumping molecules across the cell membrane against their concentration gradient (from an area of low concentration to high concentration), which requires $ATP$ energy.

Passive Transport (Diffusion)

The cellular movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration across the cell membrane without the use of $ATP$ energy.

Energy Flow in Nature

The biological pathway wherein light/solar energy is captured via photosynthesis into chemical energy (glucose), which is subsequently converted into usable energy ($ATP$) through cellular respiration.

Zooxanthellae

Photosynthetic, plant-like organisms that colonize coral reefs and produce sugars needed as food for their coral animal partners.

Carbon Cycling

The constant movement of carbon and its compounds between living and nonliving components of an ecosystem, critical because carbon is an essential component of DNA, proteins, and other vital biomolecules.

Cactus Stem Adaptation

Thick, fleshy plant stems that store water and act as the primary site for photosynthesis, enabling survival in arid environments.