CH. 3 Cell Structure and Function
mitochondria
(singular,mitochondrion) the cellular organelles responsible for carrying out cellular respiration,resulting in the production of ATP,the cell's main energy-carrying molecule
eukaryotic cell
a cell that has a membrane-bound nucleus and several other membrane-bound compartments or sacs
ribosome
a cellular organelle that carries out protein synthesis
gap junction
a channel between two adjacent animal cells that allows ions,nutrients,and other low-molecular weight substances to pass between the cells,enabling the cells to communicate
plasmodesma (plural ,plasmodesmata)
a channel that passes between the cell walls of adjacent plant cells,connects their cytoplasm,and allows materials to be transported from cell to cell
Golgi apparatus
a eukaryotic organelle made up of a seriesof stacked membranes that sorts,tags,and packages lipids and proteins for distribution
tight junction
a firm seal between two adjacent animal cells created by protein adherence
electrochemical gradient
a gradient produced by the combined forces of the electrical gradient and the chemical gradient
central vacuole
a large plant cell organelle that acts as a storage compartment,water reservoir,and site of macromolecule degradation
desmosome
a linkage between adjacent epithelial cells that forms when cadherins in the plasma membrane attach to intermediate filaments
organelle
a membrane-bound compartment or sac within a cell
vacuole
a membrane-bound sac,somewhat larger than a vesicle,that functions in cellular storage and transport
passive transport
a method of transporting material that does not require energy
fluid mosaic model
a model of the structure of the plasma membrane as a mosaic of components,including phospholipids,cholesterol,proteins,and glycolipids,resulting in a fluid rather than static character
diffusion
a passive process of transport of low-molecular weight material down its concentration gradient
plasma membrane
a phospholipid bilayer with embedded (integral) or attached (peripheral) proteins that separates the internal contents of the cell from its surrounding environment
chloroplast
a plant cell organelle that carries out photosynthesis
facilitated transport
a process by which material moves down a concentration gradient (from high to low concentration) using integral membrane proteins
exocytosis
a process of passing material out of a cell
phagocytosis
a process that takes macromolecules that the cell needs from the extracellular fluid; a variation of endocytosis
pinocytosis
a process that takes solutes that the cell needs from the extracellular fluid; a variation of endocytosis
cell wall
a rigid cell covering made of cellulose in plants,peptidoglycan in bacteria, non-peptidoglycan compounds in Archaea,and chitin in fungi that protects the cell,provides structural support,and gives shape to the cell
endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
a series of interconnected membranous structures within eukaryotic cells that collectively modify proteins and synthesize lipids
cilium (plural,cilia)
a short,hair-like structure that extends from the plasma membrane in large numbers and is used to move an entire cell or move substances along the outer surface of the cell
vesicle
a small,membrane-bound sac that functions in cellular storage and transport; its membrane is capable of fusing with the plasma membrane and the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus
peroxisome
a small,round organelle that contains hydrogen peroxide,oxidizes fatty acids and amino acids,and detoxifies many poisons
solute
a substance dissolved in another to form a solution
endocytosis
a type of active transport that moves substances,including fluids and particles,into a cell
prokaryotic cell
a unicellular organism that lacks a nucleus or any other membrane-bound organelle
receptor-mediated endocytosis
a variant of endocytosis that involves the use of specific binding proteins in the plasma membrane for specific molecules or particles
concentration gradient
an area of high concentration across from an area of low concentration
lysosome
an organelle in an animal cell that functions as the cell's digestive component; it breaks down proteins,polysaccharides,lipids,nucleic acids,and even worn-out organelles
hypertonic
describes a solution in which extracellular fluid has higher osmolarity than the fluidinside the cell
hypotonic
describes a solution in which extracellular fluid has lower osmolarity than the fluid inside the cell
isotonic
describes a solution in which the extracellular fluid has the same osmolarity as the fluid inside the cell
tonicity
the amount of solute in a solution
unified cell theory
the biological concept that states that all organisms are composed of one or more cells,the cell is the basic unit of life,and new cells arise from existing cells
nucleus
the cell organelle that houses the cell's DNA and directs the synthesis of ribosomes and proteins
selectively permeable
the characteristic of a membrane thatallows some substances through but not others
nucleolus
the darkly staining body within the nucleus that is responsible for assembling ribosomal subunits
nuclear envelope
the double-membrane structure that constitutes the outermost portion of the nucleus
cytoplasm
the entire region between the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope,consisting of organelles suspended in the gel-like cytosol,the cytoskeleton,and various chemicals
cytosol
the gel-like material of the cytoplasm in which cell structures are suspended
endomembrane system
the group of organelles and membranes in eukaryotic cells that work together to modify,package,and transport lipids and proteins
microscope
the instrument that magnifies an object
flagellum (plural,flagella)
the long,hair-like structure that extends from the plasma membrane and is used to move the cell
extracellular matrix
the material,primarily collagen,glycoproteins,and proteoglycans,secreted from animal cells that holds cells together as a tissue,allows cells to communicate with each other,and provides mechanical protection and anchoring for cells in the tissue
active transport
the method of transporting material that requires energy
cytoskeleton
the network of protein fibers that collectively maintains the shape of the cell,secures some organelles in specific positions,allows cytoplasm and vesicles to move within the cell,and enables unicellular organisms to move
smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)
the region of the endoplasmic reticulum that has few or no ribosomes on its cytoplasmic surface and synthesizes carbohydrates,lipids,and steroid hormones; detoxifies chemicals like pesticides,preservatives,medications,and environmental pollutants,and stores calcium ions
rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)
the region of the endoplasmic reticulum that is studded with ribosomes and engages in protein modification
osmolarity
the total amount of substances dissolved in a specific amount of solution
osmosis
the transport of water through a semipermeable membrane from an area of high water concentration to an area of low water concentration across a membrane