7th Grade Life Science ADV. Unit 1: Cell Structure and Function Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards for 7th Grade Life Science, focusing on cell structures, functions, and biological molecules.

Animal Cell

A eukaryotic cell that serves as the basic unit of life in animals.

Autotroph

An organism that makes its own food.

Bacteria

Organisms made up of a single cell that have a cell wall, but do not have a nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles.

Carbohydrates

Organic molecules that are used for short term energy.

Cell

The basic unit of life on earth.

Cell membrane

A membrane-bound organelle that controls the movement of substances in and out of a cell by allowing certain substances to pass through it, but not others.

Cell theory

Theory that states all living things are composed of one or more cells; the cell is the basic unit of life; and new cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Cell wall

A thick structure that provides support, protection, and shape to plant cells; also found in most bacteria, fungi, and algae.

Chloroplast

A membrane-bound organelle that contains chlorophyll; the site of photosynthesis.

Cytoplasm

Thick fluid material found between the cell membrane and nucleus.

Cytoskeleton

Network consisting of protein fibers that gives shape and structure to cells.

DNA

Molecule present in all living things; contains the genetic information that determines the traits that an organism inherits.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (rough & smooth)

Site of protein synthesis and transports proteins and other materials throughout the cell.

Eukaryote

An organism made up of cells that have a nucleus surrounded by a membrane and other membrane-bound organelles.

Golgi apparatus

Organelle that helps process and package protein and lipid molecules.

Heterotroph

An organism that cannot make its own food; it must eat other organisms.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of constant internal conditions.

Inorganic (molecule)

Any molecule that lacks carbon (such as water, metals, salts).

Lipids

Fatty, waxy, or oily molecules that make up the cell membranes and long term energy storage.

Lysosome

A membrane-bound organelle that digests waste, cell parts, and foreign invaders.

Macromolecules

Organic molecules that play important roles in cellular functioning.

Mitochondria

A membrane-bound organelle that is the site of cellular respiration; produces energy (ATP).

Multicellular

An organism made of many cells.

Nuclear membrane

The membrane surrounding a nucleus in eukaryotes.

Nucleic acids

Macromolecules that store genetic information; DNA & RNA.

Nucleolus

A small spherical structure inside the nucleus of a cell that makes ribosomes.

Nucleus

A membrane-bound organelle that contains the cell's DNA.

Organic (molecule)

Any molecule that contains carbon (such as proteins, lipids, nucleic acids).

Organelle

Structures within a cell that perform specific functions.

Enzyme

Proteins or substances that act as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions.

Plant Cell

A eukaryotic cell that serves as the basic unit of life in plants.

Prokaryote

Single-celled organism that does not have a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.

Proteins

Macromolecules made up of amino acids that have important roles including transport, building blocks of structures, and enzymes.

Ribosomes

Organelles that synthesize (put together) proteins; found floating in a cytoplasm and embedded in rough endoplasmic reticulum.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid; a molecule made up of nucleotides that acts as a messenger carrying instructions from DNA for making proteins.

Unicellular

An organism that is made of a single cell.

Vacuole

A membrane-bound organelle that stores needed materials such as water and nutrients.

Vesicle

A small membrane-bound sac that transports materials in a cell.