Cell Structure and Function #4- Midterm

Cell theory

3 essential parts:
-all living organisms are composed of one or more cells
-cells are the basic units of structure and function in an organism
-cells come only from the reproduction of existing cells

Plasma membrane

Cell's outer boundary, covers a cell's surface and acts as a barrier between inside and outside of cell
-all materials enter or exit thru plasma membrane

Eukaryote

Organisms made up of one or more cells that have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
-have a variety of sub cellular structures called organelles
-eukaryotic cells generally much larger than prokaryotic
-white blood cells

Prokaryote

Organisms that lack a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
-although lack nucleus, their genetic info-in form of DNA- is often concentrated in a part of cell called nucleoid
-prokaryotes divided into 2 domains: Bacteria and Archaea
�bacter

Ribosome

Organelles made of protein and RNA that direct protein synthesis in the cytoplasm
-smallest organelle in cell

Mitochondrion

Tiny organelles that transfer energy from organic molecules to adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
-ATP ultimately powers most of the cell's chemical reactions
-highly active cells, muscle cells, can have hundreds of mitochondria
-cells not very active, fat-stor

Nuclear envelope

Double membrane that surrounds the nucleus
-made up of two phospholipid bilayers
-covering surface of nuclear envelope are nuclear pores

Nucleolus

The site where DNA is concentrated when it is in the process of making ribosomal RNA
-one denser area in nuclei

Golgi apparatus

Flattened membranous sacs nearest nucleus that receive vesicles from ER containing newly made proteins or lipids
-vesicles travel from one part of Golgi to next and transport substances as they go

Thylakoids

A system of flattened, membranous sacs
-inside chloroplasts
-only in plant cells

Cell well

A rigid later that lies outside the cell's plasma membrane
-only in plant cells
-cell wall contains carb "cellulose"
-pores in cell wall allow water, ions and some molecules to enter and exit cell

Central vacuole

A large, fluid-filled organelle that stores not only water but also enzymes, metabolic wastes, and other materials
-can make up 90% of plant cells volume and can push all other organelles into thin layer against plasma membrane
-only in plant cells

Chlorophyll

-green pigment inside thylakoids
-main molecule that absorbs light and captures light energy for cell
-only in plant cells