Chapter 7 Cell Structure and Function Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering Chapter 7 Cell Biology, including the cell theory, cellular structures, organelles, microscope types, and membrane transport.

Cell Theory

A fundamental biological theory consisting of three parts: 1) All organisms are composed of one or more cells; 2) The cell is the basic unit of structure and organization in organisms; 3) All cells come from pre-existing cells.

Compound Light Microscope

A microscope that utilizes visible light and a system of lenses to magnify specimens, commonly used to observe living cells and tissue samples.

Electron Microscope

A type of microscope that uses beams of electrons focused by magnetic fields rather than light, allowing for much higher magnification to view detailed cell organelles and macromolecular structures.

Prokaryotic Cell

A cell that lacks a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; its genetic material is found free-floating in the cytoplasm.

Eukaryotic Cell

A complex cell possessing a distinct membrane-bound nucleus and specialized membrane-bound organelles, characteristic of plants, animals, fungi, and protists.

Plasma Membrane

A flexible, selectively permeable outer boundary of a cell consisting of a phospholipid bilayer, proteins, and cholesterol that regulates what enters and exits the cell.

Phospholipid Bilayer

A double layer of phospholipids forming the core of the plasma membrane, composed of hydrophilic (polar) heads facing outward and hydrophobic (nonpolar) tails facing inward.

Fluid Mosaic Model

The model describing the plasma membrane as a flexible matrix (fluid) embedded with a diverse pattern of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates (mosaic) that can move laterally.

Membrane Cholesterol

A steroid lipid embedded within the phospholipid bilayer that functions to stabilize membrane fluidity and maintain structural integrity across varying temperatures.

Transport Proteins

Proteins spanning the plasma membrane that create channels or act as carriers to allow specific molecules and ions to enter and leave the cell.

Cell Wall

A rigid, protective outer layer situated outside the plasma membrane in plant cells that provides structural support, shape, and protection.

Nucleus

The central eukaryotic organelle that houses the cell's genetic material (DNA), enclosed by a double-membraned nuclear envelope and containing chromatin and the nucleolus.

Chromatin

The tangles of long, relaxed strands of DNA packaged with proteins found within the eukaryotic nucleus during interphase.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

An extensive network of folded internal membranes studded with ribosomes that is primarily involved in the synthesis, folding, and transport of proteins.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

A portion of the endoplasmic reticulum that lacks ribosomes, functioning in lipid synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and chemical detoxification.

Ribosome

A small cellular organelle composed of RNA and protein complexes that synthesizes proteins by translating genetic codes.

Vacuole

A membrane-bound sac that stores nutrients, water, and wastes; it is significantly larger in plant cells where it maintains turgor pressure to support the plant structure.

Lysosome

A membrane-bound organelle containing digestive enzymes that breaks down wastes, cellular debris, ingested foreign invaders, and worn-out organelles.

Chloroplast

The plant cell organelle that contains chlorophyll and converts solar/light energy into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis.

Chlorophyll

The light-absorbing green photosynthetic pigment found within the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts that gives plants their green color.

Thylakoid

A flattened, disc-shaped membranous sac inside a chloroplast where the light reactions of photosynthesis take place.

Grana

The stacks of individual thylakoid discs located within the chloroplast.

Stroma

The dense, fluid-filled space within a chloroplast that surrounds the grana and thylakoid membranes.

Mitochondrion

The organelle responsible for breaking down food molecules and generating usable cellular energy in the form of ATP through cellular respiration.

Cytoskeleton

A supportive network of protein fibers and filaments that maintains cell shape, anchors organelles, and assists in intracellular transport and cell movement.

Cilia and Flagella

Cellular projection structures used for movement: cilia are short and numerous, beating in synchronized waves, whereas flagella are longer and fewer, producing a whip-like motion.

Folded Membranes

Internal cellular structures that increase overall surface area, maximizing the space available for biochemical reactions and energy production.

Anton van Leeuwenhoek

The scientist recognized as the first to observe living cells and microscopic organisms using a simple handheld microscope.

Matthias Schleiden

The botanist who concluded that all plants are composed of living cells, helping establish the cell theory.

Chloroplast Internal Structures

The internal anatomical compartments of a chloroplast, including: 1. Outer membrane, 2. Inner membrane, 3. Stroma, 4. Grana, and 5. Thykaloid.

Plant Cell Anatomy

The structural components of a plant cell, featuring key organelles such as the chloroplast (1), cell wall (2), plasma membrane (3), central vacuole (4), rough ER (6), nucleus (7), nucleolus (8), smooth ER (10), Golgi apparatus (12), and mitochondrion (13).

Plasma Membrane Structure

The molecular architecture of the cell membrane, including the phospholipid bilayer (1) consisting of polar hydrophilic heads (2) and nonpolar hydrophobic tails (3), integral proteins (4), peripheral proteins (5), channel proteins (6), cholesterol molecules (7), and glycoprotein chains (8).