Animal and Plant Cell Structures

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomical components, organelles, and distinguishing features of animal and plant cells based on anatomical diagrams.

Animal cell

A eukaryotic cell that lacks a rigid cell wall and chloroplasts, allowing flexible shapes, specialized tissue formation, and motility in multicellular animals.

Plant cell

A eukaryotic cell with a rigid outer wall and specialized plastids that provides structural support and conducts photosynthesis to synthesize organic nutrients.

Nucleus

Serves as the control center of the cell by housing genetic material ($\text{DNA}$) and coordinating cellular activities such as growth, metabolism, and protein synthesis.

Nuclear envelope

Encloses genetic material and regulates macromolecular trafficking with the cytoplasm to protect the genome.

Nuclear pore

Acts as a selective molecular gateway allowing the regulated passage of RNA, ribosomal subunits, and proteins across the membrane boundary.

Nucleolus

Synthesizes ribosomal RNA ($\text{rRNA}$) and coordinates the assembly of ribosomal subunits essential for protein translation.

Nucleoplasm

Suspends and stabilizes genetic material and enzymes while facilitating internal transport and biochemical reactions within the nuclear envelope.

Cell membrane

Maintains cellular homeostasis by regulating the entry and exit of substances and facilitating intercellular communication and signaling.

Cell wall

Provides structural rigidity, mechanical support, and protection against osmotic pressure and physical damage in plant tissues.

Plasmodesma

Facilitates direct intercellular communication and transport of nutrients, signaling molecules, and water between adjacent plant cells.

Chloroplast

Captures solar energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen through photosynthesis.

Vacuole

Maintains turgor pressure to support plant structure, and stores water, nutrients, pigments, and waste products.

Centriole

Organizes the mitotic spindle fibers to ensure accurate chromosome segregation during cell division.

Centrosome

Serves as the primary microtubule-organizing center, regulating the cytoskeleton and assembling the spindle apparatus during division.

Cilium

Propels cellular movement or moves fluids and particles across the surface of epithelial tissues.

Mitochondrion

Generates the majority of the cell's chemical energy ($\text{ATP}$) through aerobic cellular respiration.

Golgi apparatus

Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids from the endoplasmic reticulum for secretion or delivery to other organelles.

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

Synthesizes, folds, and processes proteins intended for membranes, lysosomes, or export from the cell.

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Synthesizes lipids and phospholipids, metabolizes carbohydrates, and detoxifies drugs and metabolic poisons.

Ribosomes

Translate messenger RNA ($\text{mRNA}$) transcripts into polypeptide chains to carry out protein synthesis.

Lysosome

Breaks down macromolecules, cellular debris, and foreign invaders using acid hydrolases to facilitate waste disposal and recycling.

Peroxisome

Neutralizes toxic reactive oxygen species and breaks down long-chain fatty acids via oxidative enzymes.

Cytoplasm

Provides a buffered aqueous medium for metabolic reactions and supports internal structures via the cytoskeleton.

Secretory vesicles

Transport synthesized proteins and macromolecules to the plasma membrane for exocytosis.

Vesicle

Transports cellular cargo between organelles, stores biomolecules, and compartmentalizes localized chemical reactions.