Life Science Cell Theory Vocabulary Terms

Cell

the basic unit of all living things

Cell Membrane

the boundary that surrounds a cell and controls which substances can enter or leave the cell

Nucleus

an organelle in a cell that holds the cell's DNA and controls the processes of the cell

Cell Wall

a rigid structure that surrounds and protects a cell found in a plant, fungus, and some bacteria cells

DNA

found in the nucleus of a cell carries the information about how a living thing will look and function

Multicellular

consisting of many cells

Organelle

a tiny structure within a cell that performs a specific function for that cell

Prokaryote

individual microscopic organism with no nucleus

Unicellular

an organism that has only one single cell like most kinds of bacteria

Vacuole

A fluid filled organelle that stores a variety of nutrients found in both animal and plant cells plants have only one-larger than ones found in animal cells

Eukaryotic Cell

a type of cell with a nucleus enclosed by a membrane as well as membrane-enclosed organelles

Ribosomes

small organelles involved in the process of making protein

Lysosomes

garbage disposal unit of the cell -an organelle containing digestive enxymes

Golgi Apparatus

an organelle that acts as the packaging center of the cell- it receives and distributes proteins

Endoplasmic Reticulum

the cell's assembly lines - an organelle that carries materials from one part of the cell to the other

Cell Theory

all living things are made of cells, cells are the basic unit of structure and function and the cells only come from other cells

Chloroplasts

an organelle in a plant cell that turns energy from the sun into chemical energy for the plant to use

Cytoplasm

the material inside of a living cell including all organelles except for the nucleus

Mitochondria

powerhouse of the cell- an organelle in eukaryotic cells that is the site of ATP energy production