Organelles and Compartmentalization

Organelles

Specialized structures within cells that perform specific functions

Cell Fractionation

The separation of cell components into different fractions based on their physical properties

Ultrafiltration

Separation of substances using a membrane that allows small molecules to pass through while retaining larger molecules

Plasma Membrane

A selectively permeable membrane surrounding the cell that controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell

Homogenization

The process of breaking cells apart to release their organelles and cell contents

Nucleus

A membrane

Cytoplasm

The contents of a cell enclosed by the plasma membrane, excluding the nucleus

Transcription

The process of copying the base sequence of a gene from DNA into RNA

Translation

The process of using the base sequence of mRNA to assemble a polypeptide at a ribosome

Metabolites

Small molecules produced or used during metabolic reactions in cells

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that increase the rate of chemical reactions without being consumed

Lysosome

A membrane

Phagocytosis

The process by which a cell engulfs large particles or pathogens by extending its plasma membrane around them

Phagocytic Vacuole

A vesicle formed when a cell engulfs a particle during phagocytosis; it can fuse with a lysosome for digestion