Cells I

Cell

The basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms.

Plasma Membrane

A selectively permeable barrier that surrounds the cell, controlling the passage of substances into and out of the cell.

Cytoplasm

The gelatinous substance within the cell membrane that contains organelles and is the site for most cellular processes.

Nucleus

The organelle that houses the cell's DNA and is responsible for controlling cellular activities.

Organelle

Specialized structures within a cell that perform distinct processes.

Chromatin

A complex of DNA and proteins found in the nucleus that condenses to form chromosomes during cell division.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

A type of endoplasmic reticulum that is studded with ribosomes and involved in the synthesis of proteins.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

A type of endoplasmic reticulum that lacks ribosomes and is involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification.

Mitochondrion

The powerhouse of the cell, where energy (ATP) is produced through cellular respiration.

Lysosome

An organelle that contains digestive enzymes for breaking down waste materials and cellular debris.

Cytoskeleton

A network of protein fibers that provide structural support, shape, and movement to cells.

Microtubule

A component of the cytoskeleton, made of tubulin, that provides structural support and facilitates intracellular transport.

Facilitated Diffusion

The process by which molecules diffuse across a membrane with the help of transport proteins.

Active Transport

The movement of substances across a membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring energy (ATP).

Endocytosis

A process by which cells take in materials by engulfing them in a membrane.

Phagocytosis

A type of endocytosis where the cell engulfs large particles or cells by wrapping extensions around them.

Pinocytosis

A type of endocytosis where the cell ingests extracellular fluid and its dissolved solutes.

Receptor-mediated endocytosis

A process where cells internalize molecules bound to specific receptors on the cell membrane.

Exocytosis

The process by which cells release substances to the extracellular space via vesicles.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration.

Isotonic solution

A solution in which the solute concentration is the same inside and outside the cell, leading to no net movement of water.