Cells, Organelles, and Structural Hierarchy

Flashcards covering key Vocabulary and concepts about cells, organelles, and hierarchy in biological structures.

Nucleus

The control center of the cell that contains DNA.

Nucleolus

A dark spot in the middle of the nucleus that helps make ribosomal subunits and is a site for RNA synthesis.

Ribosomes

Organelles that assemble proteins; found in all cells, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

The internal delivery system of the cell, consisting of rough ER and smooth ER.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (Rough ER)

A type of ER that has ribosomes attached and helps in protein synthesis.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (Smooth ER)

A type of ER without ribosomes that is involved in lipid synthesis.

Golgi Complex

The 'shippers' of the cell that package, modify, and transport materials.

Lysosomes

The 'clean-up crews' of the cell that break down food and old cell parts.

Mitochondria

Known as 'the powerhouse' of the cell; it breaks down food to produce ATP for energy.

Centrioles

Cellular structures involved in cellular division, found only in animal cells.

Vacuoles

Organelles that store water; large in plant cells and responsible for turgor pressure.

Chloroplasts

Organelles in plant cells that trap energy from the sun to produce food, containing the green pigment chlorophyll.

Cell Wall

A protective layer found outside the cell membrane in plant cells, providing support.

Hierarchy of Structural Organization

The organization of biological structures from atoms to organisms, including levels such as chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and organismal.

Chemical Level

The level of organization involving atoms and molecules.

Cellular Level

The level of organization where cells are the basic structural and functional units of life.

Tissue Level

The level of organization consisting of groups of similar cells performing a specific function.

Organ Level

The level where two or more different tissue types are organized to perform specific functions.

Organ System Level

The level that includes connected organs that cooperate to perform related functions.

Organismal Level

The highest level of organization where all organ systems work together.