cell
-the smallest unit that shows the properties of life
-it has the capacity for metabolism, homeostasis, growth and reproduction
eukaryotic cell
divided into various functional parts, has a nucleus
prokaryotic cell
smaller and simpler than eukaryotic cells, no nucleus
plasma membrane
the cell's outer membrane, it separates metabolic activities from events outside of the cell
nucleus
double membraned sac holding a eukaryotic cell's DNA
nucleoid
the region of cytoplasm in which the DNA inside prokaryotic cells is concentrated
cytoplasm
semifluid mixture of water, sugars, ions and proteins between the plasma membrane and the region of DNA
ribosomes
structures on which proteins are built
surface to volume ratio
a physical relationship that strongly influences cell size and shape
lipid bilayer
the structural foundation of all cell membranes
-consists of 2 layers of lipids whose hydrophopic tails are sandwiched b/w its hydrophilic heads
phospholipid
the main type of lipid in cell membranes