Download Cells- the smallest unit that can perform all of life

Cell Vocabulary
1. Active transport- A process of transporting particles that requires the cell to use
energy.
2. Amoeba- a term used to describe protests that move by crawling
3. Cells- the smallest unit that can perform all of life processes
4. Cell Cycle- the life cycle of a cell
5. Cell Membrane- a protective layer that covers a cell’s surface and acts as a barrier
6. Cell Theory- the idea that all living things are made of cells, cells are the basic unit
of structure and function in all living things, and that living cells come from living cells
7. Cell Wall- a rigid structure that surrounds the cell membrane in plants and provides
support to the cell
8. Cellular Respiration- the process by which a cell uses oxygen to produce energy
from food
9. Chromosomes- organized structure of DNA and protein that are found in cells
10. Chloroplasts- contain chlorophyll, changes sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to
sugar and oxygen
11. Ciliates- are complex protists and have hundreds of hair like structures known as
cilia which are used for motion
12. Cytoplasm- jelly like substance that is enclosed within the plasma membrane of a
cell
13. Diffusion- a net transport of molecules from a region of higher concentration to one
of lower concentration by random molecular motion
14. Endocytosis- the process by which cells absorb material from outside the cell by
engulfing (wrapping around) it with their cell membrane
15. Endoplasmic reticulum- The rough one has ribosomes that make proteins, the ER
then transports the proteins to where they are needed
16. Eukaryotes- an organism whose cells have membrane bound organelles
17. Exocytosis- the durable process by which a cell directs the contents of secretory
vesicles out of the cell membrane (like a pimple popping)
18. Feedback mechanism- a series of events that trigger another series of events in
response to the first set of events
19. Fermentation- the process of energy production in a cell under anaerobic conditions
(without oxygen)
20. Flagellates- are cells with one or more whip-like organelles.
21. Golgi bodies- are an organelle found in most eukaryotic cells packages the large
molecules and takes them to where they are needed (like a trucking company).
22. Homeostasis- refers to the body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment in
response to fluctuations/changes in the outside environment and the weather.
23. Lysosome- are organelles containing digestive enzymes.
24. Meiosis- is a process of cell division in (in sex cells) which the number of
chromosomes per cell is halved.
25. Metabolism- is the set of chemical reactions that occur in living organisms in order
to maintain life.
26. Mitochondria- a membrane-enclosed organelle found in most eukaryotic cells.
27. Mitosis- is a process of cell division (in regular cells) in which a eukaryotic cell
separates the chromosomes in its cell nucleus, into two identical sets in two daughter
nuclei.
29. Multicellular organisms- are organisms consisting of more than one cell.
30. Nuclear Membranes- is a double lipid bilayer (thin membrane made of two layers
of lipid molecules) that encloses the genetic material in eukaryotic cells….layer around
the nucleus
31. Nucleolus- non-membrane bound structure composed of protein and nucleic acids
found within the nucleus.
32. Nucleus- membrane-bound organelle that contains the cell’s DNA and that has a role
in processes such as growth, metabolism and reproduction.
33.Organ- is a tissue that performs a specific function or group of functions within an
organism. (order of things…….. cell-tissue-organ-system-organism)