Ch. 3 Cells Vocab - Anatomy & Physiology
Chromatin
DNA and complexed protein that condenses to form chromosomes during mitosis.
Differentiation
cell specialization.
Cytoskeleton
cell's framework of protein filaments and tubules.
Centrosome
cellular organelle consisting of two centrioles.
Cytoplasm
contents of a cell including the gel-like cytosol and organelles.
Progenitor cell
daughter cell of a stem cell whose own daughter cells are restricted to follow specific lineages.
Nucleus
dense core of atom; organelle containing DNA.
Facilitated diffusion
diffusion in which a carrier molecule transports a substance across a cell membrane from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.
Mitosis
division of a somatic cell, forming two genetically identical somatic cells.
Cytokinesis
division of the cytoplasm during cell division.
Nuclear envelope
double membrane surrounding the nucleus separating it from cytoplasm.
Edema
fluid accumulation in tissue spaces.
Cilia
hair-like motile processes attached beneath cell membrane.
Microtubules
hollow rod constructed of the protein tubulin.
Selectively permeable
membrane that allows some types of molecules through but not others.
Vesicles
membranous cytoplasmic sac formed by an infolding of cell membrane or pinching off of membranes within the cell.
Peroxisomes
membranous sac abundant in kidney and liver cells that contain enzymes that catalyze reactions that decompose hydrogen peroxide.
Filtration
movement of material through a membrane as a result of hydrostatic pressure.
Osmosis
movement of water through a semipermeable membrane toward a concentration of an impermeant solute.
Receptor-mediated endocytosis
moves very specific kinds of particles into the cell.
Ribosomes
organelle composed of RNA and protein that is a structural support for protein synthesis.
Endoplasmic reticulum
organelle composed of a network of connected membranous tubules and vesicles.
Lysosomes
organelle that contains digestive enzymes.
Golgi apparatus
organelle that prepares and modifies cellular products for secretion.
Interphase
period between cell divisions when a cell metabolizes and prepares to divide.
Phagocytosis
process by which a cell engulfs and digests solids.
Pinocytosis
process by which a cell engulfs droplets of fluid from its surroundings
Endocytosis
process by which a cell membrane envelops a substance and draws it into the cell in a vesicle.
Active transport
process that requires energy and a carrier molecule to move a substance across a cell membrane against the concentration gradient.
Apoptosis
programmed cell death.
Diffusion
random movement of molecules from a region of higher concentration toward one of lower concentration.
Flagella
relatively long, motile process attached beneath cell membrane.
Microfilaments
rod of actin protein in cytoplasm providing structural support or movement.
Chromosomes
rod-like structure that condenses from chromatin in a cell's nucleus during mitosis.
Cell membrane
selectively permeable outer boundary of a cell consisting of a phospholipid bilayer embedded with proteins.
Nucleolus
small structure in the cell nucleus that contains RNA and proteins.
Hypertonic
solution with a greater osmotic pressure than the solution to which it is compared.
Hypotonic
solution with a lower osmotic pressure than the solution to which it is compared.
Isotonic
solution with the same osmotic pressure as the solution to which it is compared.
Metaphase
stage in mitosis when chromosomes align in the middle of the cell.
Telophase
stage in mitosis when newly formed cells separate.
Anaphase
stage in mitosis when replicated chromosomes separate and move to opposite poles of the cell.
Prophase
stage of mitosis when chromosomes become visible when stained and viewed under a microscope.
Organelles
structure in a cell that has a specialized function.
Exocytosis
transport of substances out of a cell in membrane-bounded vesicles.
Stem cells
undifferentiated cell that can divide to yield two daughter stem cells, or a stem cell and a progenitor cell.
