Plant and Animal Cell Structures - Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key plant and animal cell organelles, structures, and related concepts from the lecture notes.

Chloroplast

Organelle in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs; contains chlorophyll and captures light energy to produce glucose.

Mitochondrion

Organelle that produces ATP (energy) for the cell through cellular respiration.

Nucleus

Membrane-bound organelle that houses genetic material (DNA) and directs cellular activities.

Nucleolus

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

Ribosome

Small particle where protein synthesis occurs; can be free in the cytoplasm or attached to the rough ER.

Vacuole

Membrane-bound storage sac; in plant cells, large central vacuole stores water, nutrients, and wastes.

Central vacuole

Large vacuole in plant cells that maintains turgor pressure and stores substances.

Golgi apparatus

Organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for secretion or delivery.

Cell membrane

Phospholipid bilayer that encloses the cell and regulates movement of substances in and out.

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

ER without ribosomes; synthesizes lipids and detoxifies substances.

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

ER with ribosomes on its surface; synthesizes and processes proteins.

Cell wall

Rigid layer outside the cell membrane in plants that provides support and protection (made of cellulose).

Cytoplasm

Jelly-like substance inside the cell where organelles are suspended; site of many metabolic activities.

Nuclear envelope

Double membrane surrounding the nucleus that controls exchange with the cytoplasm.

Centrioles

Cylindrical structures that organize spindle fibers during cell division in animal cells.

Prokaryote

Organism whose cells lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryote

Organism whose cells contain a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Endoplasmic reticulum

Network of membranous tubules; rough ER has ribosomes for protein synthesis, smooth ER synthesizes lipids.

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose) in chloroplasts.

Plant cell

A eukaryotic cell with chloroplasts, a cell wall, and a large central vacuole; conducts photosynthesis.

Animal cell

A eukaryotic cell lacking a cell wall and chloroplasts; typically lacks chloroplasts and may contain centrioles.