Cell Structure: Eukaryotes, Prokaryotes, and Organelles

Vocabulary flashcards covering eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structures, organelles, subcellular functions, and measurement unit prefixes based on the lecture notes.

Eukaryotes

Living organisms made of eukaryotic cells (such as animal and plant cells) that contain a cell membrane, cytoplasm, and a nucleus containing DNA.

Prokaryotes

Living organisms made of prokaryotic cells, such as bacterial cells, which are much smaller and contain a cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, a single circular strand of DNA, and plasmids.

Organelles

Structures in a cell that have different specific functions.

Centi

A prefix placed before units of measurement to multiply the unit by $0.01$.

Milli

A prefix placed before units of measurement to multiply the unit by $0.001$.

Micro

A prefix placed before units of measurement to multiply the unit by $0.000001$.

Nano

A prefix placed before units of measurement to multiply the unit by $0.000000001$.

Nucleus

An organelle enclosed in a nuclear membrane that contains DNA coding for a particular protein needed to build new cells.

Cytoplasm

A liquid substance in cells in which chemical reactions occur, containing enzymes and organelles.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts, which are proteins that speed up the rate of chemical reactions.

Cell membrane

A cellular structure that controls what enters and leaves the cell.

Mitochondria

Organelles where aerobic respiration reactions occur, providing energy for the cell.

Ribosomes

Structures where protein synthesis occurs, found on the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Chloroplasts

Organelles in plant cells where photosynthesis takes place, containing chlorophyll pigment which harvests the light needed for photosynthesis.

Permanent vacuole

A structure found within the cytoplasm of plant cells that contains cell sap and improves cell rigidity.

Cell wall (plant and algal)

A cellular structure made from cellulose that provides strength to plant and algal cells.

Peptidoglycan

The compound that makes up the cell wall in bacterial cells.

Plasmids

Small rings of DNA found floating in the cytoplasm of bacterial cells.

Single circular strand of DNA

The main genetic material in bacterial cells that floats in the cytoplasm because bacterial cells have no nucleus.