Cell Structure and Function

Cell membrane (plasma membrane): Semi-permeable membrane separating the cell from its environment
- Composed of phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins
- Regulates the movement of molecules in and out of the cell
Cytoplasm: Jelly-like substance inside the cell membrane
- Contains water, salts, sugars, and various organelles
- Site of many metabolic processes
Nucleus: Control center of the cell
- Contains most of the cell's genetic material (DNA)
- Surrounded by a double membrane called the nuclear envelope
Mitochondria: Organelles responsible for generating energy (ATP) through cellular respiration
- Have their own DNA and ribosomes
- Found in the cytoplasm
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER): Network of membranous tubules and cisternae
- Involved in protein synthesis, transport, and modification
- Rough ER has ribosomes attached, while smooth ER does not
Ribosomes: Small organelles found throughout the cytoplasm
- Site of protein synthesis
- Composed of RNA and proteins

Metabolism: Chemical reactions that occur within the cell to maintain life
- Includes anabolic (building) and catabolic (breakdown) reactions
Cell signaling: Communication between cells through signaling molecules (e.g., hormones, neurotransmitters)
- Allows cells to respond to changes in their environment
Cell division: Process by which a cell divides into two daughter cells
- Includes mitosis (nuclear division) and cytokinesis (cytoplasmic division)
Cell transport: Movement of molecules across the cell membrane
- Passive transport (diffusion, osmosis) and active transport (requiring energy)

Interphase: Longest stage of the cell cycle
- Consists of G1 (growth and preparation), S (DNA replication), and G2 (preparation for cell division)
Mitosis: Nuclear division resulting in two identical daughter cells
- Consists of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis
Checkpoint: Regulatory mechanisms that ensure the cell cycle progresses correctly
- Monitors for DNA damage, proper chromosome alignment, and other cellular processes

Photosynthesis: Process by which cells convert light energy into chemical energy
- Occurs in chloroplasts of plant cells and some algae
Cellular respiration: Process by which cells generate energy from glucose
- Includes glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation
Protein synthesis: Process by which cells create proteins from amino acids
- Involves transcription (mRNA synthesis) and translation (protein assembly)

Cell membrane is semi-permeable, separating cell from environment, and regulates molecule movement in and out of cell
Cell membrane is composed of phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins
Cytoplasm is jelly-like substance inside cell membrane, containing water, salts, sugars, and organelles, and site of many metabolic processes
Nucleus is control center of cell, containing most of cell's genetic material (DNA), and surrounded by nuclear envelope
Mitochondria are organelles responsible for generating energy (ATP) through cellular respiration, have their own DNA and ribosomes, and are found in cytoplasm
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is network of membranous tubules and cisternae, involved in protein synthesis, transport, and modification, with rough ER having ribosomes attached and smooth ER not
Ribosomes are small organelles found throughout cytoplasm, site of protein synthesis, and composed of RNA and proteins

Metabolism includes anabolic (building) and catabolic (breakdown) reactions, maintaining life
Cell signaling is communication between cells through signaling molecules (e.g., hormones, neurotransmitters), allowing cells to respond to changes in environment
Cell division is process by which cell divides into two daughter cells, including mitosis (nuclear division) and cytokinesis (cytoplasmic division)
Cell transport is movement of molecules across cell membrane, including passive transport (diffusion, osmosis) and active transport (requiring energy)

Interphase is longest stage of cell cycle, consisting of G1 (growth and preparation), S (DNA replication), and G2 (preparation for cell division)
Mitosis is nuclear division resulting in two identical daughter cells, consisting of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis
Checkpoint is regulatory mechanism that ensures cell cycle progresses correctly, monitoring for DNA damage, proper chromosome alignment, and other cellular processes

Photosynthesis is process by which cells convert light energy into chemical energy, occurring in chloroplasts of plant cells and some algae
Cellular respiration is process by which cells generate energy from glucose, including glycolysis, pyruvate oxidation, Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation
Protein synthesis is process by which cells create proteins from amino acids, involving transcription (mRNA synthesis) and translation (protein assembly)

Cell membrane is semi-permeable, separating the cell from its environment while allowing certain substances to pass through
Cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance inside the cell membrane where metabolic processes, like cellular respiration, occur
Nucleus is the control center of the cell where DNA is stored, regulating cell growth, division, and function
Mitochondria generate energy for the cell through cellular respiration, converting glucose into ATP
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a network of membranous tubules and cisternae involved in protein synthesis and transport
Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis, translating mRNA into amino acid chains
Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes, breaking down and recycling cellular waste and foreign substances
Golgi apparatus is a complex of flattened sacs involved in protein modification, sorting, and transport

Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant cells responsible for photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy
Cilia are hair-like structures involved in movement, sensing, and communication in eukaryotic cells
Flagella are whip-like structures involved in movement, helping cells swim and navigate
Centrioles are involved in the formation of cilia and flagella, playing a crucial role in cell division and movement
Peroxisomes are organelles involved in the breakdown of fatty acids and amino acids, regulating cellular metabolism
Vacuoles are membrane-bound sacs involved in storage, digestion, and waste management in eukaryotic cells

Cell division is the process by which a cell divides into two daughter cells, involving mitosis or meiosis
Mitosis results in two identical daughter cells, while meiosis results in four non-identical daughter cells
Cellular respiration is the process by which cells generate energy from glucose, involving aerobic or anaerobic respiration
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and some other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy
Protein synthesis is the process by which cells create proteins from amino acids, involving transcription and translation
Cell signaling is the process by which cells communicate with each other, regulating cell function and behavior

Passive transport involves the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration, without energy input
Diffusion is the random movement of molecules from high to low concentration, while osmosis is the movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane
Active transport involves the movement of molecules from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration, requiring energy input
Carrier proteins help transport molecules across the cell membrane, while pumping involves the use of energy to transport molecules against their concentration gradient