Download Cell Structure Vocabulary

Cell Structure Vocabulary
Name:______________
1. Cell –A basic unit of living matter, the fundamental structural unit of life. Cells have particular structures that
perform specific jobs. Cells are separated from their environment by a plasma membrane.
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2. Cell Membrane- The outer membrane of the cell; the plasma membrane. The functions of the cell membrane
include: separation from its outside environment, controlling which molecules enter and leave the cell, and
recognition of chemical signals.
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3. Chloroplast- An organelle found only in plants and photosynthetic protists that absorbs sunlight and uses it to drive
the synthesis of organic compounds from carbon dioxide and water.
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4. Cytoplasm- The entire contents of the cell, exclusive of the nucleus, and bounded by the plasma membrane.
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5. Diffusion- The spontaneous movement of a substance down its concentration gradient from a more concentrated to
a less concentrated area. The diffusion of a substance across a membrane is called passive transport because it does
not require energy.
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6. Mitochondria- An organelle in eukaryotic cells that serves as the site of cellular respiration. The mitochondria takes
in glucose and oxygen and produces ATP, releasing water and carbon dioxide as waste products. The ‘powerhouse’
of the cell.
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7. Nucleus- The chromosome-containing organelle of a eukaryotic cell that directs all cell functions. The ‘brains’ of the
cell.
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8. Organ- A specialized center of body function composed of several different types of tissues. Examples of organs
include the stomach, the heart, and the lungs.
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9. Organ System- A set of organs that work together to accomplish a specific life function. Examples of organ systems
include the digestive system, the circulatory system, and the excretory system.
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Definitions are based upon Pearson’s Glossary of Biological Terms:
http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/glossary/index.html and the New York State Living Environment Core
Curriculum
10. Organelle- A structure within eukaryotic cells that carries out specialized functions, including protein building,
extraction of energy from nutrients, or storage. Examples of organelles include ribosome, mitochondria, and
vacuole.
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11. Organism- An individual living thing, such as a bacterium, fungus, protist, plant or animal.
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12. Osmosis- The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.
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13. Ribosome- A cell organelle that is the site of protein synthesis. Ribosomes may be free in the cytoplasm or attached
to the endoplasmic reticulum. Consists of rRNA and protein molecules, which make up two subunits.
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14. Tissue- An integrated group of cells with a common structure and function. Examples of tissues include a mucous
membrane, a muscle, and a bone.
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15. Vacuole- A membrane-enclosed sac used for storage in animal (small) and plant (large) cells. The vacuole takes up
most of the interior of a mature plant cell and contains a variety of substances important in plant reproduction,
growth, and development.
Sentence: ______________________________________________________________________________________
Function:_______________________________________________________________________________________
Definitions are based upon Pearson’s Glossary of Biological Terms:
http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/glossary/index.html and the New York State Living Environment Core
Curriculum