Characteristics of Life and Cell Functions

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to the characteristics of life and cell functions as outlined in the provided notes.

Characteristics of Life

Living things have cells, use energy, grow, reproduce, and react to their surroundings.

Metabolism

Chemical reactions that help a living thing stay alive and grow.

Cell Organelles

Small parts inside a cell that do specific jobs.

Nucleus

The control center of the cell that holds DNA.

Mitochondria

The powerhouse of the cell that makes energy.

Chloroplast

Parts in plant cells that make food from sunlight.

Cell Wall

A stiff outer layer that protects and supports plant cells.

Cell Membrane

A thin layer that controls what enters and leaves the cell.

Large Vacuole

A storage bubble for water and food in plant cells.

Cytoplasm

The jelly-like fluid where cell activities happen.

Diffusion

The movement of particles from a crowded area to a less crowded area