Biology Chapter: Cell Discovery and Structure

The basic structural and functional unit of life. All living organisms are composed of one or more cells.

Organisms that consist of a single cell, such as bacteria.

Organisms that consist of multiple cells, such as plants and animals.

The outermost covering of the cell that separates the cell from its external environment.

The control center of the cell that contains genetic material.

The jelly-like substance inside the cell where various cellular activities take place.

Specialized structures within the cell that perform specific functions.

The process by which a cell divides to produce two daughter cells.

The cell membrane is a flexible barrier that surrounds the cell and controls what enters and exits. It's made of lipids and proteins.

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a semi-permeable membrane from high concentration to low concentration.

A hypotonic solution has a higher water concentration than the cell, causing the cell to absorb water and swell.

An isotonic solution has the same water concentration as the cell, resulting in no net water movement.

A hypertonic solution has a lower water concentration than the cell, causing the cell to lose water and shrink.

The cell wall is a rigid outer layer that provides structural support and protection. It is found in plants, fungi, and bacteria.

Prokaryotic cells are simpler, lack a nucleus, and have no membrane-bound organelles.

Eukaryotic cells are more complex, have a nucleus, and contain membrane-bound organelles.

Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis, the process of creating proteins.

Mitochondria are responsible for energy production in the cell, creating ATP.

Chloroplasts are responsible for photosynthesis, the process of converting light energy into chemical energy.

Lysosomes are membrane-bound sacs containing digestive enzymes that break down cellular waste and foreign material.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a network of membrane-bound tubes and sheets involved in protein synthesis and transport.

The fundamental unit of life, characterized by its membrane-bound organelles and ability to carry out essential life processes.

A thin layer of lipids and proteins that encloses the cell and regulates the flow of substances in and out.

A rigid structure found outside the plasma membrane of plant cells, providing support and protection. Composed primarily of cellulose.

The control center of the cell, containing DNA and directing cellular activities.

A network of interconnected membranes involved in protein synthesis, modification, and transport within the cell.

A stack of membrane-bound vesicles responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids.

Membrane-bound sacs containing digestive enzymes, involved in breaking down cellular waste and debris.

Organelles responsible for generating energy (ATP) for cellular processes.

Organelles found in plant cells, involved in photosynthesis and storage of materials like starch and pigments.

Storage compartments found in both plant and animal cells, involved in holding water, salts, and waste products.

The process of cell division resulting in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Essential for growth, repair, and replacement of cells.

The process of cell division resulting in four daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Essential for sexual reproduction and genetic diversity.

Specialized cells involved in sexual reproduction, containing half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

The movement of water molecules from a region of high water concentration to a region of low water concentration across a partially permeable membrane.

A cell that lacks a well-defined nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Typically smaller and simpler in structure than eukaryotic cells.

A cell that has a well-defined nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. Typically larger and more complex in structure than prokaryotic cells.