Compendium Two: Cells and Functions

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to cells and their functions from the lecture.

Cell

The structural and functional unit of all living things, consisting of a plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and organelles.

Plasma Membrane

The outer boundary of the cell that regulates what enters and leaves the cell, also known as the cell membrane.

Cytoplasm

The portion of the cell that contains organelles and cytosol, excluding the nucleus.

Nucleus

The control center of the cell that houses genetic information (DNA).

Ribosomes

Organelles that are the site of protein synthesis, made of two subunits.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

The organelle involved in the synthesis and modification of proteins (rough ER) and lipids (smooth ER).

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for distribution.

Lysosomes

Organelles that contain enzymes for digesting and breaking down waste materials in the cell.

Mitochondria

Organelles known as the powerhouses of the cell, responsible for producing ATP (energy currency).

Cilia

Motile cellular extensions that move substances across the cell surface.

Flagella

Longer motile extensions from the cell surface involved in cell movement, found in human sperm cells.

Microvilli

Small projections on the cell surface that increase surface area for absorption.

Cytoskeleton

The network of fibers within a cell that provides structural support and facilitates movement.

Glycocalyx

The outer surface of the plasma membrane composed of glycoproteins and glycolipids involved in cell signaling.

Cell Metabolism

All of the chemical reactions that occur within a cell, including energy use and waste production.