Cell Types and Structures

Vocabulary flashcards covering the characteristics, sub-cellular structures, and specialized functions of eukaryotic, prokaryotic, animal, plant, and bacterial cells based on the lecture notes.

Eukaryotic cells

Cells found in plants, animals, and fungi that range from $10-100\,\text{micromètres}$ in size, such as Sequoia trees.

Prokaryotic cells

Cells ranging from $0,.1-5.0\,\text{micrometres}$ in size; bacteria such as coli are examples of prokaryotes.

Plasmids

One or more small rings of DNA in prokaryotic cells that can replicate and move between cells so genetic information can be shared.

Single DNA loop

A structure in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells where most of their genetic material is stored, as they do not have a nucleus.

Cell membrane

A structure that separates the interior of the cell from the environment outside and can control substances moving in and out.

Nucleus

A sub-cellular structure that contains chromosomes which contain the cell’s genetic material.

Ribosomes

Sub-cellular structures responsible for making proteins.

Mitochondria

The location where aerobic respiration takes place, providing the cell with energy.

Aerobic respiration

A process which uses glucose and oxygen to release energy.

Cytoplasm

A jelly-like fluid or watery jelly that fills the cell and where most of the cell’s chemical reactions take place.

Permanent vacuole

A fluid-filled sac enclosed in a membrane that stores water and makes up $90\%$ of a plant cell’s volume.

Chloroplasts

Sub-cellular structures that contain chlorophyll, which is needed for photosynthesis.

Cell Wall

A structure made of cellulose that surrounds the cell and increases the structural strength of the cells.

Flagella

Whip-like structures found in some bacteria used for movement.

Specialised

A term for cells that can perform a specific function, such as sperm cells which are specialized to fertilise egg cells.

Acrosome

Part of a sperm cell containing an enzyme needed to penetrate an egg cell.

Sperm Head

The part of the sperm cell containing the nucleus, which carries one half of an organism’s genetic material.

Sperm Middle Section

An area filled with mitochondria to provide the energy needed for the sperm to travel long distances.

Sperm Tail

A structure used for motion that is spun in a corkscrew motion to move the cell.

Zygote

The structure formed when an egg cell is fertilized by a sperm cell, which later grows into an embryo.

Haploid nucleus

A nucleus containing half the genetic information needed for a new zygote.

Chromosomes

DNA that carries an organism's genes; an egg cell contains $23$ of these.