Cell Structure and Organelles

Study Notes

Plasma Membrane: a semi-permeable membrane that separates the cell from its environment, composed of phospholipid bilayer and proteins
Cytoplasm: a jelly-like substance inside the cell membrane, where many metabolic reactions take place
Nucleus: the control center of the cell, containing most of the cell's genetic material (DNA)
Mitochondria: organelles responsible for generating energy for the cell through cellular respiration
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): a network of membranous tubules and cisternae involved in protein synthesis, folding, and transport
Lysosomes: membrane-bound organelles containing digestive enzymes, responsible for breaking down and recycling cellular waste
Ribosomes: small organelles found throughout the cytoplasm, responsible for protein synthesis
Cytoskeleton: a network of filaments that provides structural support, shape, and movement to the cell

Passive Transport: movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration, no energy required
- Diffusion: random movement of molecules
- Osmosis: movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane
Active Transport: movement of molecules from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration, energy required
- Carrier Proteins: transport molecules across the membrane using energy
- Pumps: transport molecules across the membrane using energy

Mitosis: the process of cell division that results in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell
- Interphase: the stage of the cell cycle where the cell grows and prepares for cell division
- Prophase: the stage of the cell cycle where the chromosomes condense and the nuclear envelope breaks down
- Metaphase: the stage of the cell cycle where the chromosomes line up at the center of the cell
- Anaphase: the stage of the cell cycle where the sister chromatids separate
- Telophase: the stage of the cell cycle where the nuclear envelope reforms
- Cytokinesis: the stage of the cell cycle where the cytoplasm divides
Meiosis: the process of cell division that results in four daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell, occurs in reproductive cells

Signals: molecules that convey information from one cell to another
Receptors: proteins on the surface of the target cell that bind to signals
Signaling Pathways: a series of molecular interactions that occur in response to a signal, leading to a cellular response

Plasma Membrane: separates the cell from its environment, semi-permeable, and composed of phospholipid bilayer and proteins.
Cytoplasm: jelly-like substance inside the cell membrane, where many metabolic reactions take place.
Nucleus: contains most of the cell's genetic material (DNA), the control center of the cell.
Mitochondria: generates energy for the cell through cellular respiration.
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): involved in protein synthesis, folding, and transport.
Lysosomes: breaks down and recycles cellular waste, containing digestive enzymes.
Ribosomes: responsible for protein synthesis, found throughout the cytoplasm.
Cytoskeleton: provides structural support, shape, and movement to the cell.

Passive Transport: movement of molecules from high concentration to low concentration, no energy required.
Diffusion: random movement of molecules.
Osmosis: movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane.
Active Transport: movement of molecules from low concentration to high concentration, energy required.
Carrier Proteins: transport molecules across the membrane using energy.
Pumps: transport molecules across the membrane using energy.

Mitosis: results in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
Interphase: stage of the cell cycle where the cell grows and prepares for cell division.
Prophase: stage of the cell cycle where the chromosomes condense and the nuclear envelope breaks down.
Metaphase: stage of the cell cycle where the chromosomes line up at the center of the cell.
Anaphase: stage of the cell cycle where the sister chromatids separate.
Telophase: stage of the cell cycle where the nuclear envelope reforms.
Cytokinesis: stage of the cell cycle where the cytoplasm divides.
Meiosis: results in four daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell, occurs in reproductive cells.

Signals: molecules that convey information from one cell to another.
Receptors: proteins on the surface of the target cell that bind to signals.
Signaling Pathways: a series of molecular interactions that occur in response to a signal, leading to a cellular response.