LS Bio: Ch. 8 Vocab

Cell

basic unit of all forms of life

Cell Membrane

thin, flexible barrier that surrounds all cells; regulates what enters and leaves the cell

Nucleus

in cells, structure that contains the cell's genetic material in the form of DNA

Eukaryote

organism whose cells contain a nucleus

Prokaryote

unicellular organism that lacks a nucleus

Cytoplasm

fluid portion of the cell outside the nucleus

Organelle

specialized structure that performs important cellular functions within a eukaryotic cell

Ribosome

cell organelle consisting of RNA and protein found throughout the cytoplasm in a cell; the site of protein synthesis

Endoplasmic Reticulum

internal membrane system found in eukaryotic cells; place where lipid components of the cell membrane are assembled

Vacuole

cell organelle that stores materials such as water, salts, proteins, and carbohydrates

Lysosome

cell organelle that breaks down lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins into small molecules that can be used by the rest of the cell

Cytoskeleton

network of protein filaments in a eukaryotic cell that gives the cell its shape and internal organization and is involved in movement

Chloroplast

cell organelle that converts energy from sunlight into chemical energy throughout the process of photosynthesis

Mitochondria

Cell organelle that converts the chemical energy stored in food into compounds that are more convenient for the cell to use

Cell Wall

strong, supporting layer around the cell membrane in most prokaryotes and some eukaryotes

Golgi Apparatus

organelle in cells that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and other materials from the endoplasmic reticulum for storage in the cell or release outside the cell