CELL STRUCTURE Vocabulary

Cell Theory All organisms are made of one or more cells. The cell is the basic unit of all living things. All cells come from existing cells.

Prokaryotic Cells (Prokaryotes) A cell that does not have an organized nucleus or membrane bound organelles. Examples: Eubacteria and Archaebacteria- simple single celled organisms

Eukaryotic Cells (Eukaryotes) A cell that does have a membrane bound nucleus and organelles. Eukaryotic cells are much more organized. Examples: Plants, Fungus, Animals

Cell Membrane A layer that covers a cell ’ s surface and acts as a barrier between the inside and outside of the cell. The cell membrane has control over that goes into and out of the cell.

Nucleus Organelle that contains the DNA of the cell- The nucleus controls all of the cell ’ s actions and processes ( “ Brain ” )

Cytoplasm The gel-like fluid found inside the cell that contains all the organelles, it makes up most of the inside of the cell.

Organelle The small “ organs ” or bodies found in a cells cytoplasm Most of the rest of the vocabulary words are organelles

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) A series of folded membranes that assist in the production of proteins. The ER ’ s main purpose is to move substances around inside the cell.

Ribosome Often found on the ER the ribosomes actually make the proteins. These are the smallest and most abundant organelles found inside the cell.

Golgi Body- (Golgi Complex) Packages, modifies, and distributes proteins throughout the cell and often outside the cell.

Mitochondria The main power source of the cell. It breaks down sugars to produce energy for the cell.

Lysosome Contain digestive enzymes that break down food particles. Also destroys old and worn-out cell parts and helps get rid of the waste.

Cell wall Found only in plant, fungi, and some bacteria cells. The cell wall is a rigid structure that surrounds the cell membrane to give the cell structure and support.

Chloroplast Organelles in plant and algae cells where photosynthesis takes place. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll which gives plants their green color.

Tissue A group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific job or function.

Organ A structure that is made up of two or more tissues working together to perform a specific function

Nuclear membrane A membrane much like the cell membrane that surrounds the nucleus. The nuclear membrane contains pores that allow messages to pass from the nucleus to the cytoplasm

Vesicle A small sac that surrounds material to be moved into or out of the cell. Material can be transported or simply stored inside these vesicles

Vacuoles Large vesicles used to store digestive enzymes in animal cells and water in plant cells.

Chromatin / Chromosome The hereditary material (blueprint) for the cell made up of DNA Found inside the Nucleus in Eukaryotic cells and simply floating in the cytoplasm in Prokaryotes.