AP Biology (Unit 2 pt.1) Glossary

endomembrane system

group of organelles and membranes in eukaryotic cells that work together, modifying, packaging and transporting lipids and proteins.

gap junction

channel between two adjacent animal cells that allows ions, nutrients, and low molecular weight substances to pass between cells, enabling the cells to communicate.

Cytoplasm

entire region between the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope, consisting of organelles suspended in the gel like cytosol, the cytoskeleton and various chemicals.

Cytosol

gel like material of the cytoplasm in which cell structures are suspended

desmosome

linkage between adjacent epithelial cells that forms when cadherins in the plasma membrane attach to intermediate filaments.

extracellular matrix

material secreted from animal cells that provides mechanical protection and anchoring for the cells in the tissue

chromatin

protein DNA complex that serves as the building material of chromosomes

chromosome

structure within the nucleus that is made up of chromatin that contains DNA, the hereditary material