Keystone+Vocabulary+~+Cells

= Keystone Cells Unit Vocabulary =

Chapter 7 in Text

 * Multicellular ** Made up of more than one cell.


 * Unicellular ** Made up of a single cell.


 * Extracellular ** Located outside a cell.


 * Carrier (Transport) Proteins ** Proteins embedded in the plasma membrane involved in the movement of ions, small molecules, and macromolecules into and out of cells; also known as transport proteins.


 * Cell ** The basic unit of structure and function for all living organisms. Cells have three common components: genetic material, cytoplasm, and a cell membrane. Eukaryotic cells also contain specialized organelles.


 * Chloroplast ** An organelle found in plant cells and the cells of other eukaryotic photosynthetic organisms where photosynthesis occurs.


 * Chromosomes ** A single piece of coiled DNA and associated proteins found in linear forms in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and circular forms in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells; contains genes that encode traits. Each species has a characteristic number of chromosomes.


 * Eukaryote ** A type of organism composed of one or more cells containing a membrane‐bound nucleus, specialized organelles in the cytoplasm, and a mitotic nuclear division cycle.


 * Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) ** An organelle, containing folded membranes and sacs, responsible for the production, processing, and transportation of materials for use inside and outside a eukaryotic cell. There are two forms of this organelle: rough ER that has surface ribosomes and participates in the synthesis of proteins mostly destined for export by the cell and smooth ER that has no ribosomes and participates in the synthesis of lipids and steroids as well as the transport of synthesized macromolecules.


 * Impermeable ** Not permitting passage of a substance or substances.


 * Intracellular ** Located inside a cell.


 * Mitochondrion ** A membrane‐bound organelle found in most eukaryotic cells; site of cellular respiration.
 * Nucleus ** A membrane‐bound organelle in eukaryotic cells functioning to maintain the integrity of the genetic material and, through the expression of that material, controlling and regulating cellular activities.


 * Organelle ** A subunit within a cell that has a specialized function.


 * Plasma Membrane ** A thin, phospholipid and protein molecule bilayer that encapsulates a cell and controls the movement of materials in and out of the cell through active or passive transport.


 * Plastids ** A group of membrane‐bound organelles commonly found in photosynthetic organisms and mainly responsible for the synthesis and storage of food.


 * Prokaryote ** A single‐celled organism that lacks a membrane‐bound nucleus and specialized organelles.


 * Ribosome ** A cellular structure composed of RNA and proteins that is the site of protein synthesis in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.


 * Golgi Apparatus ** An organelle found in eukaryotic cells responsible for the final stages of processing proteins for release by the cell.