Cell Structure and Function Vocabulary

Tissue

The mass of like cells in an animal or plant body

Organ

In a plant or animal, a specialized structure that performs a particular function, such as the heart

Organelle

A specialized subunit within a cell that has a specific function, and is usually separately enclosed with its own membrane

Cell Membrane

A biological membrane that separates and protects the interior of all cells from the external environment. It is selectively permeable, meaning it allows certain substances to pass while blocking others.

Cytoplasm

The jelly-like material outside the cell nucleus in which the organelles are located and metabolic processes occur.

Mitochondrion

Spherical to rod-shaped organelles with a double membrane. The inner membrane is in-folded many times, forming a series of projections called cristae. The mitochondrion converts the energy stored in glucose into ATP for the cell.

Golgi Body

A flattened, layered, sac-like organelle that looks like a stack of pancakes and is located near the nucleus. It produces the membranes that surround the lysosomes. The golgi body packages proteins and carbohydrates into membrane-bound vesicles for export from the cell.

Lysosome

A membrane-bound organelle that contains digestive enzymes to break down waste materials and cellular debris, and is involved in the digestion of cell nutrients.

Nuclear Membrane

The membrane that surrounds the nucleus

Nucleus

A spherical body within the cell that contains many organelles and performs many functions by controlling protein synthesis. It contains the genetic material (DNA) and is surrounded by the nuclear membrane.

Nucleolus

An organelle within the nucleus - it is where ribosomal RNA is produced. Some cells have more than one nucleolus.

Chromosome

One of the tiny, threadlike, DNA- containing bodies found in the cell nuclei of all plants and animals, responsible for transmitting hereditary characteristics

Ribosome

Small organelles composed of RNA-rich cytoplasmic granules that are sites of protein synthesis

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (Rough ER)

A type of endoplasmic reticulum that is studded with ribosomes on its cytoplasmic surface, functioning in the synthesis and modification of proteins. It transports materials through the cell and produces protein sacs called cisternae, which are sent to the Golgi body

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (Smooth ER)

A type of endoplasmic reticulum that is not studded with ribosomes and is involved in the synthesis of lipids, metabolism of carbohydrates, and detoxification of drugs and poisons.

Centrosome

A structure found in animal cells, located near the nucleus, that serves as the main microtubule organizing center. It plays a crucial role in cell division by helping to coordinate the movement of chromosomes

Vacuole (animal)

Fluid-Filled, membrane-surrounded cavities inside a cell. The vacuole fills with food being digested and waste material that is on its way out of the cell

Vacuole (plant)

A large membrane-bound space within a plant cell that is filled with fluid. Most plant cells have a single vacuole that takes up much of the cell. It helps maintain the shape of the cell.

Cell Wall (plant)

A thick, rigid membrane that surrounds a plant cell. This layer of cellulose fiber gives the cell most of its support and structure. The cell wall also bonds with other cell walls to form the structure of the plant

Chlorophyll

The green pigment in the leaves and stems of plants that is necessary for the production of plant food by photosynthesis

Chloroplast

An elongated or disc-shaped organelle containing chlorophyll. Photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplast.