Cell Structure and Function - Organelle Research

Vocabulary flashcards covering the structures, functions, and key characteristics of cellular organelles based on the lecture notes.

Organelles

Specialized structures within a cell that each have their own set of structures and functions to help the cell carry out the characteristics of life.

Cell Membrane

A semipermeable barrier with tiny openings (pores) located just inside the cell wall or as the outermost layer in cells without a wall; it controls what enters and exits the cell to maintain homeostasis.

Cell Wall

A tough, flexible, nonliving layer made of cellulose located outside the cell membrane in plants and some other organisms that protects, supports, and works with the vacuole to help hold cell shape.

Cellulose

The substance found in celery that makes up the tough, flexible, nonliving layer of the cell wall.

Mitochondria (Mitochondrion)

Rod-shaped organelles located in the cytoplasm that make most of the cell's energy through respiration; cells that use a lot of energy, such as muscle cells, can have thousands of them.

Respiration

The process by which the mitochondria make most of the energy needed by the cell.

Chloroplast

Large green structures in the cytoplasm of plants and some other organisms that capture sunlight and use it to make food for the cell, giving plants their green color.

Vacuole

A round sac (small hollow pouch structure) in the cytoplasm that functions like a balloon to store food, water, waste, and other materials; plants have one large vacuole that stores water, while animal cells have many small vacuoles.

Cytoplasm

A clear, thick, gel-like fluid located between the cell membrane and the nucleus that is always moving and holds most of the cell's organelles.

Nucleus

The biggest, round-shaped organelle in eukaryotic cells; surrounded by a membrane with pores, it acts as the control center or 'brain' of the cell whose main job is to protect DNA.

Nuclear Membrane

The membrane surrounding the nucleus that contains pores allowing materials to pass in and out.

Nucleolus

The structure located inside the nucleus that is responsible for making ribosomes.

Chromatin

The DNA and genetic material located inside the nucleus that directs all functions of life, tells the cell when to do things, and gets passed on when the cell divides.

Eukaryotes

Cells that contain a nucleus to protect their DNA, enabling more control, higher demand, and the ability to perform more functions.

Prokaryotes

Simpler organisms that lack a nucleus and many organelles; they possess smaller DNA that makes it easier to control cellular activities.

Bacteria

Prokaryotic organisms whose cells do not contain a nucleus.

Golgi Body

An organelle made of flattened sacs and tubes that acts like a 'mailroom' by receiving proteins from the ER, packaging them, and sending them to other parts of the cell or outside it.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

A network of folded membranes that appears bumpy when covered with ribosomes and smooth without them; it sends proteins made by ribosomes to the Golgi body.

Ribosomes

Non-membrane bound organelles found in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes that act like machines in a factory to produce proteins, floating freely in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum.