College Physics Chapter 4: Cell Structure

Vocabulary flashcards based on College Physics Chapter 4: Cell Structure lecture notes.

Cells

The building blocks of all organisms.

Tissues

Composed of interconnected cells with a common function.

Organ

Several tissues combine to form this.

Organ System

Organs working together.

Magnification

Enlarging an object's appearance.

Resolution

Ability of a microscope to distinguish two adjacent structures as separate.

Compound Light Microscopes

Microscopes that bend visible light to provide magnification.

Electron Microscopes

Microscopes that achieve higher magnification and resolution using beams of electrons.

Cells (Cell Theory)

Basic units of life.

Plasma Membrane

Separates the cell’s interior from the environment.

Cytoplasm

Made of cytosol in which other components of the cell are found.

DNA

The genetic material of the cell.

Ribosomes

Synthesize proteins.

Prokaryotes

Organisms in the domains Archaea & Bacteria.

Prokaryotes

Lacks membrane-enclosed internal compartments (e.g. nucleus).

Nucleoid

Chromosomal DNA is localized in this region.

Eukaryotes

Organisms including plants, animals, fungi, and many microorganisms.

Eukaryotic Plasma Membrane

Phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins.

Cytoplasm (Eukaryotic)

Region between the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope.

Nuclear Envelope

Double membrane that separates DNA from cytoplasm.

Nucleolus

Region inside nucleus where ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is synthesized.

Mitochondrion

Converts chemical energy in glucose to a more useful form (ATP).

Cristae

The folds in the inner membrane of the mitochondria.

Mitochondrial Matrix

The area enclosed by the inner membrane of the mitochondria.

Chloroplast

Site of photosynthesis in plants.

Stroma

Fluid within the inner membrane of the chloroplast.

Thylakoids

Interconnected and stacked fluid-filled membrane sacs within the chloroplast.

Granum

Stack of thylakoids.

Centrosome

Consists of two centrioles that lie at right angles to each other.

Cell Wall

Rigid protective structure external to the plasma membrane.

Central Vacuole

Large vacuole that occupies most of the area of the plant cell.

Endomembrane System

Internal membranes and organelles in eukaryotic cells that work together to modify, package, and transport lipids and proteins.

Lysosomes

Contain digestive enzymes in animal cells and break down large biomolecules and worn-out organelles.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Interconnected membranous sacs and tubules.

Lumen/Cisternal Space

Hollow portion of the ER tubules.

Rough ER (RER)

Modifies proteins.

Smooth ER (SER)

Synthesizes lipids.

Cis Face

Receiving side of the Golgi apparatus.

Trans Face

The opposite side of the Golgi apparatus.

Cytoskeleton

Network of protein fibers with several functions.

Microfilaments

Involved in movement, determine & stabilize shape, made from actin monomers.

Intermediate Filaments

Tough, flexible fibers assembled from protein subunits, providing mechanical strength and help stabilize cell shape.

Microtubules

Form rigid internal skeleton for some cells, provide framework for motor proteins to move structures within cell, and are made of tubulin dimers.

Tight Junctions

Watertight seals between animal cells that prevent materials from leaking between cells.

Desmosomes

Short proteins in the plasma membrane that act as spot welds, joining adjacent cells in tissues that stretch.

Plasmodesmata

Channels that pass between cell walls in plants to connect cytoplasm and allow materials to move from cell to cell.

Gap Junctions

Found in animals and resemble plasmodesmata because they form channels that allow ions, nutrients, and other material to move between cells.

Cilia & Flagella Ultrastructure

9+2 array of microtubules.

Extracellular Matrix

Collagen, glycoproteins, and linking proteins support this in animal cells.

Plant Cell Wall

Support and provide a barrier to infection in plant cells.