Cells - study guide

Infectious

A disease that is caused by microbes (germs) and can be passed from one organism to another.

Infectious agent

An organism that causes disease. Ex. bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungus.

Cell

The smallest structural unit, enclosed by a membrane, that makes up all living organisms. Cells are considered the most basic units of life.

Cell membrane

The structure that separates the cell from its outside environment and controls what enters the cell.

Chloroplast

A green colored organelle that is the site of photosynthesis within the cells of plants and algae.

Cytoplasm

The material that fills much of the inside of cells, and the location of many of the reactions that take place in the cell.

Nucleus

The part of the cell that contains the genes. This is the control center of the cell.

Nuclear membrane

The structure that separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm in a cell.

Organelles

The small parts found inside a cell, often surrounded by a separate membrane, that perform a specific function.

Disease

A breakdown in the structure and function of a living organism

Microbe

A microscopic cellular organism or a virus, some of which can cause disease. Ex: Bacteria, fungus (AKA germs)

Multicellular

An organism that is made of more than one cell

Unicellular

Describing single-celled organisms, including bacteria and some protists

Eukaryote

Organisms that have cells that contain a nucleus. Example: Plant and animal cells

Prokaryote

Organisms whose cells do not have a nucleus. The DNA of prokaryotes is located in the cytoplasm of the cell. Example: Bacteria