Chapter 2: Cell Structure Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering cell structure, organelles, cell theory, cellular transport, and energy processes based on Chapter 2 life science quizzes and tests.

Cell

The smallest working unit of an organism.

Cell theory

A scientific model stating that all living things are made of cells, and all cells come from preexisting cells.

Cell membrane

The structure that surrounds all cells and regulates what comes in and what goes out.

Capsule

A slimy layer surrounding and protecting some bacteria from harm.

Active transport

Cellular transportation that requires energy to work, such as protein structures pumping molecules in the direction opposite of the way they would normally flow.

Passive transport

The movement of molecules across a cell membrane that happens without the cell doing any work.

Osmosis

A form of passive transport involving the movement of water through a semipermeable membrane.

Diffusion

The movement of molecules through a membrane because of a concentration gradient.

Glucose

A plant energy-storage molecule produced during photosynthesis from carbon dioxide and water.

ATP

The primary energy molecule of the cell, which stores energy taken from glucose and is converted into ADP when powering cellular processes.

ADP

The molecule formed when ATP is used to power a cellular process.

Fermentation

A process that allows cells without access to oxygen to convert ADP into ATP, producing waste products such as lactic acid or alcohol and carbon dioxide.

Stem cells

Cells that can divide and mature into very specialized cells such as skin cells or muscle cells.

Prokaryotic cells

Cells or unicellular organisms that do not have a nucleus.

Eukaryotic cells

Cells that contain a nucleus.

Organ

A structure formed by a group of tissues working together.

Ribosomes

Small structures found in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes that assemble proteins for the cell.

Mitochondrion

An organelle often called the powerhouse of the cell that produces most of the cell's ATP.

Cellular respiration

An aerobic process requiring oxygen that breaks down molecules to produce ATP.

Photosynthesis

The process that uses energy from sunlight to turn carbon dioxide and water into glucose.

Chlorophyll

A green pigment that absorbs energy from sunlight for photosynthesis.

Flagellum

A whip-like propeller structure found on some cells.

DNA

Structure containing important information for making proteins and regulating cellular processes.

Chromosomes

Structures into which DNA is organized inside the cell.

Cell wall

A rigid structure that provides additional protection around bacteria, algae, fungi, and plant cells.

Cytoplasm

The inside of a cell, including the organelles and their jellylike surrounding.

Rough ER

Endoplasmic reticulum that has protein-producing ribosomes attached to its surface.

Smooth ER

Endoplasmic reticulum that makes fat molecules for the cell membrane.

Lysosomes

Organelles that act as a demolition crew to dispose of old structures and destroy foreign substances.

Golgi apparatus

An organelle that acts as a packaging plant, packaging proteins into vesicles.