7th Grade Advanced Life Science Unit 1 : Cell Structure and Function Academic Vocabulary

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering cell biology, organelles, and basic biological molecules for 7th Grade Advanced Life Science.

Animal Cell

A eukaryotic cell that serves as the fundamental unit of life in animals

Autotroph

An organism that produces its own food from raw materials and energy.

Bacteria

Organisms made up of one cell that have a cell wall, but do not have a nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds including sugars, starches, and cellulose, used as structural materials and for energy storage

Cell

The smallest living organism and the basic unit of life on earth

Cell membrane

A semipermeable organelle that controls the movement of substances in and out of a cell by allowing certain substances to pass through it, but not others.

Cell theory

Theory that states all living things are composed of one or more cells; the cell is the basic unit of life; and new cells arise from existing cells

Cell wall

A thick rigid permeable structure that provides support, protection, and shape to plant cells; can also be found in most bacteria, fungi and algae

Chloroplast

A membrane bound organelle that contains chlorophyll; the site of photosynthesis

Cytoplasm

Thick fluid material found between the cell membrane and nucleus

Cytoskeleton

Network consisting of protein fibers that give shape and structure to cells

DNA

Molecule present in all living things; contains the genetic information that determines the traits that an organism inherits and needs to live

Enzyme

Proteins or substances that act as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions.

Eukaryote

An organism made up of cell(s) that have a nucleus enclosed by a membrane and other membrane-bound organelles

Golgi apparatus

Organelle that helps process and package proteins and lipid molecules, especially proteins destined to be exported from the cell

Heterotroph

Organisms that get food from an outside source.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a constant internal state in a changing environment

Inorganic (molecule)

Any molecule that lacks carbon-hydrogen bonds (water, metals, salts, etc); generally, molecules that are not of biological origin

Lipids

Fatty, waxy, or oily macromolecules that serve as structural components of cell membranes, energy storehouses, and signaling molecules

Lysosome

A membrane bound organelle that digests wastes, cell parts, and foreign particles

Macromolecules

Organic molecules containing a very large number of atoms that play important roles in cellular functioning

Mitochondria

A membrane bound organelle that is the site of cellular respiration; produces energy $(ATP)$

Multicellular

An organism that consists of multiple cells

Nuclear membrane

The membrane surrounding a nucleus in eukaryotes

Nucleic acids

Macromolecules that store and express genetic information; DNA & RNA

Nucleolus

A small dense spherical structure in the nucleus of a cell that makes the ribosomes

Nucleus

A membrane-bound organelle that contains the cell’s DNA and that has a role in processes such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction

Organelle

Structures within a cell that perform specific functions

Organic (molecule)

Any molecule that contains carbon (proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, etc); generally, molecules that are of biological origin

Plant Cell

A eukaryotic cell that serves as the fundamental unit of life in plants

Prokaryote

Single-celled organism that does not have a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles (bacteria)

Proteins

Macromolecules made up of amino acids that fulfill essential roles including transport, building blocks of structures, enzymes, and more

Ribosomes

Cell structures that synthesize (put together) proteins; found floating in a cytoplasm and embedded in rough endoplasmic reticulum

RNA

Ribonucleic acid; A molecule made up of nucleotides; a copy of DNA. Acts as a messenger carrying instructions from DNA for controlling the synthesis of proteins outside of the nucleus

Unicellular

An organism that consists of a single cell

Vacuole

A membrane bound organelle that stores needed materials such as water and nutrients

Vesicle

A small membrane-bound sac that transports materials in a cell

Endoplasmic Reticulum (rough & smooth)

Site of protein synthesis and transports proteins and other materials throughout the cell.

Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)

Contains ribosomes and is the site of protein synthesis.

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)

Does NOT contain ribosomes and is responsible for transport of materials.