| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| cell | smallest structure and functional unit of all living organisms |
| organism | any living thing |
| cell membrane | a protective layer that covers the cell's surface and act as a barrier between the inside of the cell and the cell's environment "outside of the cell" |
| cytoplasm | enclosed by the cell membrane and holds the fluid and all organelles "jelly like" |
| organelle | small body in the cell's cytoplasm that has a special function "parts of a cell" |
| nucleus | membrane bound organelle that contains the DNA "controls the cell" |
| prokaryote | single celled organism that does not have a nucleus |
| eukaryote | an organism made of cells with DNA in the nucleus (examples are plants, animals, protist and fungi) |
| cytoskeleton | network of protein that gives shape and support to the cell |
| mitochondrion | release energy stored in food “power house” |
| ribosome | makes protein |
| endoplasmic reticulum | transport of protein |
| Golgi complex | package and distribute materials |
| cell wall | provide support and protect plant cell |
| vacuole | fluid filled vesicle found in animals, plants and fungi used for storage |
| chloroplast | organelles where photosynthesis occurs |
| lysosome | break down worn out or damaged organelles, waste and foreign invaders |
| structure | arrangements of parts in an organism or object (how it is built) |
| function | activity of each part in the organism (what does it do) |
| photosynthesis | the process where plants, algae and some bacteria gets energy |
| cellular respiration | process where cells use oxygen to produce energy from food |
| mitosis | the process for cell division in a eukaryotic cell |
| passive transport | movement of particles across a cell membrane without energy |
| active transport | movement of particles against a concentration gradient using energy |
| diffusion | movement of molecules from high concentration to low concentration (passive transport) |
| osmosis | the diffusion of water (passive transport) |
| endocytosis | cell surround a particle to bring it into the cell using energy |
| exocytosis | a vessicle from inside the cell attach to the cell membrane to move "stuff" out of the cell using energy |
| equilibrium | when there is a balance of the molecules |
| concentration gradient | there is an uneven distribution of a substance across a border. For example, think of a balloon. The air inside the balloon is more concentrated than the air outside of it. There is a concentration gradient because of the differences in concentration |
