Biology: Cell Structure and Function

Practice vocabulary flashcards focused on cellular organelles, specialized cell adaptations, and structural differences between plant and animal cells.

Nucleus

An organelle visible under a light microscope that contains DNA in the form of chromatin and controls cellular activities.

Nuclear envelope

A structure visible under a light microscope that separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

An organelle studded with ribosomes that synthesizes proteins for transport out of the cell; it is not visible under a light microscope.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

An organelle not visible under a light microscope that synthesizes fats and steroids and performs detoxification.

Detoxification

A process carried out by the Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum where harmful substances are converted into harmless ones.

Cytoplasm

A region visible under a light microscope where most cellular activities occur, containing organelles and serving as the site of anaerobic respiration.

Animal Vacuole

Small and temporary structures used to store food and water; typically not visible under a light microscope in animal cells.

Plant Vacuole

A large central vacuole visible under a light microscope that stores cell sap.

Cell sap

A liquid found in plant vacuoles consisting of water and dissolved substances such as sugars, amino acids, and mineral salts.

Golgi body/apparatus

An organelle not visible under a light microscope that modifies, sorts, and packages substances into vesicles for secretion out of the cell.

Mitochondria

The site of aerobic respiration where food substances like glucose are broken down to release energy; not visible under a light microscope.

Chloroplast

A plant-only organelle visible under a light microscope that serves as the site of photosynthesis.

Cell membrane

Also known as the cell surface or plasma membrane, it is a partially permeable layer visible under a light microscope that controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell.

Cell wall

A fully permeable structure visible under a light microscope, made of cellulose, which provides structural support and shape to plant cells.

Ribosomes

The site of protein synthesis, not visible under a light microscope.

Red Blood Cell (Biconcave Shape)

An adaptation that increases the surface area to volume ratio so oxygen can diffuse in and out of the cell faster.

Red Blood Cell (Lack of Nucleus)

An adaptation providing more space for more haemoglobin to transport more oxygen.

Red Blood Cell (Flexibility)

Allows the cell to squeeze through tiny capillaries and become bell-shaped, further increasing the surface area to volume ratio.

Root Hair Cell (Protrusion)

A long and narrow protrusion that increases the surface area to volume ratio for faster absorption of water and mineral salts.

Root Hair Cell (Many Mitochondria)

Adaptation used to release energy via aerobic respiration to pump in mineral salts from soil via active transport.

Muscle Cell (Many Nuclei)

An adaptation to produce large amounts of proteins needed for muscle fibres, cell growth, and repair.

Muscle Cell (Many Mitochondria)

Adaptation to release a lot of energy via aerobic respiration for muscular contractions.