7th Grade Life Science OL Unit 1: Cell Structure and Function Academic Vocabulary

Practice flashcards covering the vocabulary for the 7th Grade Life Science unit on cell structure and function.

Animal Cell*

A eukaryotic cell that serves as the basic unit of structure in animals.

Autotroph

An organism that makes its own food.

Bacteria*

Organisms made up of a single cell that have a cell wall, but do not have a nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles.

Cell*

The basic unit of life on earth.

Cell membrane*

A membrane-bound organelle that controls the movement of substances in and out of a cell.

Cell wall*

A rigid structure that provides support, protection, and shape to plant cells; can also be found in most bacteria, fungi and algae.

Chloroplast*

A membrane bound organelle that contains chlorophyll; the site of photosynthesis.

Cytoplasm*

Thick fluid material found between the cell membrane and nucleus.

DNA

Molecule present in all living things; contains the genetic information that determines the traits that an organism inherits.

Eukaryote

An organism made up of cells that have a nucleus surrounded by a membrane and other membrane-bound organelles.

Heterotroph

An organism that cannot make its own food; it must consume other organisms.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions.

Lysosome

A membrane-bound organelle that digests waste, cell parts, and foreign materials.

Mitochondria

A membrane-bound organelle that is the site of cellular respiration; produces $ATP$.

Multicellular

An organism made of many cells.

Nucleus*

A membrane-bound organelle that contains the cell’s DNA.

Organelle

Structures within a cell that perform specific functions.

Plant Cell*

A eukaryotic cell that serves as the basic unit of life in plants.

Prokaryote

Single-celled organism that does not have a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.

Unicellular

An organism that is made of a single cell.

Vacuole

A membrane bound-organelle that stores needed materials such as water and nutrients.