Cell Biology: Organelles and Functions

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the basic definitions and functions of plant and animal cell components based on the lecture notes.

Cell

The basic unit of life.

Organelles

Smaller units in the cell that perform functions including intake of nutrients, exchange of gases, movement, growth, response to stimuli, waste removal, and reproduction.

Cell membrane

A protective barrier around the cell made of lipids that opens and closes its walls to bring nutrients or other needs inwards through diffusion.

Cytoplasm

Jelly that fills whatever empty space of the cell and acts as a messenger delivering nutrients to allow organelles to move inside the cell.

Nucleus

The brain or control centre of the cell that holds vital information like DNA and controls everything, including growth and reproduction.

Vacuoles

Used by the cell to store nutrients, waste, and other substances; compared to vacuums.

Vesicles

Components that store, transport, and release nutrients or other substances.

Mitochondria

The power house of the cell that supplies energy.

Lysosomes

Components that clean stuff up by digesting and removing material coming into the cell.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle that intakes protein and sends it out.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

Makes the protein that the golgi apparatus sends out

Cytoskeleton

Skeleton of the cell, holds it up

What are some extra components of the cell that are exclusively in plant cells

Cell wall and chloroplast

Cell wall & why is it in plant cells only

Extra support and protection for plants to evade from predators

Chloroplasts & why is it in plant cells only

Photosynthesis which creates chloroplasts from it and it makes the green pigment in plants