Cells and Systems Summary

Cells

The basic units of life

Need Energy

Requirement for living organisms to sustain life.

Response

Reaction to a stimulus.

Reproduce

Ability to reproduce, ensuring the survival of the species.

Structure

A body part designed to perform a specific task

Function

The purpose of the structure, what it does.

Compound Microscope

Uses two or more lenses to magnify the image.

Coarse Adjustment Knob

Moves the stage up and down for focusing

Wet Mount

Specimen placed in a fluid or dye for better viewing.

Tissues

Cells with similar structures and functions organized together.

Organs

Tissues working together for a common purpose.

Organ System

A group of organs that work together for a common purpose.

Organelles

Specialized structures within each cell that carry out specific functions.

Nucleus

Controls cell activities and contains DNA.

Mitochondria

Cell powerhouse, where energy is created.

Cell Wall

Provides support and stability (only in plant cells).

Chloroplast

Site for photosynthesis (only in plant cells).

Unicellular

Made up of only one single cell.

Amoeba

Move using pseudopods (false feet).

Selectively Permeable

Membranes that allow particles of one size or type in, but not others.

Osmosis

The movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of high water concentration to an area of low water concentration.

Hypertonic

Too little water outside, water rushes out.

Specialized Cells

Different cells have different appearances and perform different jobs.

Nerve Cell

Carries signals all over the body.

Stem Cell

Grows from early embryonic development and can form every type of cell in the body.

Mouth

Food intake and initial digestion (mechanical and chemical).

Chemical Digestion

The breakdown of large particles into smaller ones by using enzymes. Amylase and Saliva.

Stomach

Food digestion occurs; uses gastric juices.

Small Intestine

Absorbs nutrients through villi.

Villi

Tiny projections that increase surface area for nutrient absorption.

Trachea

Connects the mouth and nose passage to the lungs.

Alveoli

Tiny air-filled sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Diaphragm

Muscle below the lungs that helps move air in and out.

Arteries

Carry blood away from the heart (high in oxygen).

Capillaries

Connect arteries and veins; nutrients and gases diffuse in and out.

Kidney

Removes liquid waste from the blood.

Neurons

Cells that carry information through the nervous system.

Axon

Sends information to the next cell.

Sensory Neurons

Carry information from the body to the brain.

Somatic

Voluntary responses (e.g., walking, talking, eating).

An autonomic response by the nervous system to a