Biology: Cell Structure and Organelles

Study Notes

Plasma membrane: a thin, semi-permeable membrane that separates the cell from its environment
Cytoplasm: a jelly-like substance inside the cell where metabolic processes take place
Cytosol: a clear, watery liquid within the cytoplasm where many metabolic reactions occur
Organelles: specialized structures within the cell that perform specific functions
Nucleus: the control center of the cell where DNA is stored
Mitochondria: the powerhouses of the cell, responsible for generating energy through cellular respiration
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER): a network of membranous tubules and cisternae involved in protein synthesis and transport
Ribosomes: small organelles found throughout the cytoplasm, responsible for protein synthesis
Lysosomes: membrane-bound sacs containing digestive enzymes, involved in cellular digestion and recycling
Golgi apparatus: a complex of flattened sacs and tubules involved in protein modification and transport

Metabolism: the process of converting energy and nutrients into the components of life
Protein synthesis: the process of creating proteins from amino acids
Cell signaling: the process of communicating with other cells and responding to environmental stimuli
Waste management: the process of breaking down and recycling cellular waste
Cell division: the process of creating new cells through mitosis or meiosis

Nerve cells (neurons): specialized for transmitting information and controlling muscle and gland activity
Muscle cells: specialized for contraction and movement
Epithelial cells: specialized for protecting the body and regulating the exchange of substances
Connective tissue cells: specialized for supporting and connecting the body

Cell size: varies greatly depending on the type of cell, with some cells being only a few micrometers in diameter
Cell shape: also varies depending on the type of cell, with some cells being spherical, cuboidal, or elongated

Plasma membrane is a thin, semi-permeable membrane that separates the cell from its environment.
Cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance inside the cell where metabolic processes take place.
Cytosol is a clear, watery liquid within the cytoplasm where many metabolic reactions occur.
Organelles are specialized structures within the cell that perform specific functions.
Nucleus is the control center of the cell where DNA is stored.
Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, responsible for generating energy through cellular respiration.
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a network of membranous tubules and cisternae involved in protein synthesis and transport.
Ribosomes are small organelles found throughout the cytoplasm, responsible for protein synthesis.
Lysosomes are membrane-bound sacs containing digestive enzymes, involved in cellular digestion and recycling.
Golgi apparatus is a complex of flattened sacs and tubules involved in protein modification and transport.

Metabolism is the process of converting energy and nutrients into the components of life.
Protein synthesis is the process of creating proteins from amino acids.
Cell signaling is the process of communicating with other cells and responding to environmental stimuli.
Waste management is the process of breaking down and recycling cellular waste.
Cell division is the process of creating new cells through mitosis or meiosis.

Nerve cells (neurons) are specialized for transmitting information and controlling muscle and gland activity.
Muscle cells are specialized for contraction and movement.
Epithelial cells are specialized for protecting the body and regulating the exchange of substances.
Connective tissue cells are specialized for supporting and connecting the body.

Cell size varies greatly depending on the type of cell, with some cells being only a few micrometers in diameter.
Cell shape also varies depending on the type of cell, with some cells being spherical, cuboidal, or elongated.