Morris, Biology for the AP Course 1e - Mod 6

ribosome

A complex structure of RNA and protein that synthesizes proteins from mRNA.

prokaryotic

Describes a cell that does not have a nucleus; used to refer collectively to archaeons and bacteria.

organelle

Any one of several compartments in a eukaryotic cell that divides the cell contents into smaller spaces specialized for different functions.

cell theory

The set of ideas that places the cell at the center of life. It states that the cell is the fundamental unit of life, that organisms are made up of one or more cells, and that cells arise from preexisting cells.

homeostasis

The active regulation and maintenance of a stable internal physiological state in the face of a changing external environment.

metabolism

The chemical reactions occurring within cells that convert one molecule into another and transfer energy in living
organisms.

adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

The molecule that provides energy in a form that all cells can readily use to perform the work of the cell.

nucleus

The dense, central part of an atom.

cytoplasm

The region of the cell outside of the nucleus.

eukaryotic

Describes a cell that has a nucleus; used to refer collectively to animals, plants, fungi, and protists.

domain

One of the three largest limbs of the tree of life: Eukarya, Bacteria, or Archaea.

bacteria

One of the three domains of life, consisting of unicellular organisms that differ from archaea in many aspects of their cell and molecular biology.

archaea

One of the three domains of life, consisting of unicellular organisms that differ from bacteria in many aspects of their cell and molecular biology.

eukarya

One of the three domains of life, in which cells have a nucleus.

cytosol

The region of the cell inside the cell membrane but outside the organelles; the jelly-like internal environment that surrounds the organelles.