Intro to Cells Unit 1 VOCAB

Flashcards of Vocab from Codon Learning - Unit 1 Reading

Cell

the smallest thing that can function as an independent organism (building block of larger organisms)

Chromosome

a DNA molecule

Ribosome

a molecular machine consisting of RNA and proteins (site of protein synthesis)

Organelle

any membrane-bound compartment inside a cell

Cytoskeletal

rod-like proteins inside cells that provide structural support, transports materials and movement

Cell wall

a stiff structure outside the cell membrane

Flagellum

a long, flexible structure that extends from the cell (whips or rotates) to propel the cell through water

Nucleus

an organelle unique to ek enclosed by a double membrane & contains the cells chromosomes

Mitochondrion/Mitochondria

an organelle found in all ek that functions in “burning” sugar to provide energy

Eukaryote

a lineage of species with cells that contain a nucleus and mitochondria

Prokaryote

a species in the lineage of Archaea & Bacteria with cells that LACK a nucleus

Vacuole

an organelle that stores key molecules; prominent in most plant cells

Chloroplast

an organelle that contains the molecular machinery required for photosynthesis

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)

a eukaryotic organelle that forms a branching network of narrow tubes and flattened sacs (where proteins, membrane lipids, and other molecules are synthesized and/or processed)

Golgi

an organelle comprised of stacked, flattened sacs, where proteins and other molecules are processed and packaged for shipment to specific destinations

Actin filaments

small-diameter cytoskeletal fibers made of subunits of the protein actin

Intermediate filaments

cytoskeletal fibers whose size is intermediate between actin filaments and microtubules and can be made from different protein subunits

Microtubules

large-diameter, hollow cytoskeletal elements made of pairs of the proteins a-tubulin and b-tubulin