| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Prokaryote | An organism whose cells do not have membrane-enclosed organelles, such as nuclei, mitochondria, and chloroplasts. Bacteria are prokaryotic cells. |
| Eukaryote | An organism whose cells have a membrane-enclosed nucleus and organelles. Protists, fungi, plants, and animals are this type of cell. |
| Nucleus | A membranous organelle within a eukaryotic cell that contains the cell's DNA. |
| DNA | (deoxyribonucleic acid) The hereditary material of all organisms. Makes up the genes. These nucleic acids contain deoxyribose, a phosphate group, and one of four bases. |
| Impermeable | Not permeable. Impossible to pass through. |
| Permeable | Open to passage or to penetration. |
| Selectively permeable | A property of biological membranes that allows some substances to cross and prevents other from crossing. |
| Proteins | An organic compound composed of one or more polypeptide chains of amino acids. Most structural materials and enzymes within cells are these. |
| Receptor | Specialized protein molecule on the outside of cell membranes that binds to specific molecules such as hormones. |
| Variable | An observable (usually measurable) quantity or quality of an experiment that a scientist considers as a factor affecting the experiment's outcome. Usually considered either dependent or independent. |
| Homeostasis | The tendency of an organism to maintain a stable, constant internal environment. |
| Active Transport | The movement of a substance across a biological membrane AGAINST its concentration gradient with the help of energy input and specific proteins. |
| Passive Transport | The diffusion of a substance across a biological membrane through a transport protein in the membrane. |
| Solution | Two or more substances combined to make a homogenous mixture. Usually made by completely mixing water with other solid materials such as salts or sugar. |
| Solute | The dissolved substance in a solution. |
| Solvent | The liquid into which the solute is dissolved. |
| Isotonic | A solution in which the concentration of solutes outside the cell is equals to the concentration inside. |
| Hypertonic | A solution in which the concentration of solutes outside a cell is greater than the concentration inside. |
| Hypotonic | A solution in which the concentration of solutes outside a cell is less than the concentration inside. |
| Indicator | A chemical substance added to a solution to provide a measurement of the solution. Most often used to show the presence of a substance or the pH of a solution. |
| Organelle | An organized structure within a cell with a specific function. Examples: chloroplast, mitochondria, nucleus. |
| Organ | A collection of tissues joined together in a structural unit to serve a common function. Example: the heart. |
| Organ System | A group of organs that interact to perform a set of related tasks. Example: digestive system. |
| Diffusion | The movement of a substance from an area of high concentration to low concentration. |
| Compartment | A separate division or section. |
| Osmosis | The movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane. |
| Concentration Gradient | A difference in the concentration of a substance from one location to another. |
| Cell Membrane | The layer of lipids and proteins that enclose a cell to separate its interior from the external environment. |
| Diuretic | Any substance that promotes the increased formation and excretion of urine. |
| Ion | Any molecule that has an electrical charge. Examples: Sodium and Chlorine form these when salt is dissolved into water. |
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