| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Nucleus | contains most of the genes in the eukaryotic cell |
| Nuclear Envelope | porous, double membrane that encloses the nucleus |
| Chromosomes | coiled up/condensed structures (chromatin) that contains genetic information |
| Chromatin | a complex of protein and DNA, much looser than chromosomes |
| Nucleolus | zone in the nucleus where rRNA is synthesized as well as ribosomal subunits |
| Mitosis | a process of nuclear division in eukaryotic cells, which produces 2 identical daughter cells |
| Somatic Cells | all body cells except for reproductive cells |
| Centromere | a specialized region where the sister chromatids are most closely attached |
| Kinetochore | a structure of proteins attached to a chromatid at the centromere, it attaches to the spindle microtubules |
| Endomembrane System | the collection of membranes inside and around a eukaryotic cell, related either through direct physical contact or by the transfer of membranous vesicles; includes ER, golgi apparatus, lysosomes and vacuoles, functions include protein synthesis/transport, lipids metabolism/movement, and detoxification of poisons |
| Endoplasmic Reticulum | continuous membrane with the nuclear envelope, contains cisternae and lumen |
| Cisternae | (endoplasmic reticulum and golgi apparatus) membranous tubules and sacs (foldings of membrane) |
| Lumen | cisternal space |
| Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum | synthesize lipids/sterol, metabolizes carbohydrates, detoxifies drugs and poisons, stores calcium (intracellular signaling) |
| Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum | ribosomes attached to membrane, synthesis/modification for targetted proteins, membrane synthesis |
| Golgi Apparatus | contains many cisternae, products of ER are stored/modified/shipped, synthesis of some polysaccharides, final products are budded into vesicles and "shipped" |
| Lysosomes | (animal cells only) specialized vesicles/membranous sac of hydrolitic enzymes in acidic environment that digest macromolecules and cell parts |
| Autophagy | a process in which lysosomes recycle the cell's own organic material |
| Central Vacuole | (plant cells only) enclosed by membrane (tonoplast), digestion/storage/pigments/protection (vacuole contains poisonous compounds) |
| Mitochondria | dbl membrane bound semiautonomous organelles (mDNA), the site of cellular respiration, the metabolic process that generates ATP by extracting energy from sugars, fats, and other fuels with the help of oxygen |
| Chloroplasts | dbl membrane bound semiautonomous organelles (chloroplast DNA) found in plans and algae, contain the green pigment chlorophyll, along with enzymes and other molecules that function in the photosynthetic production of sugar, convert solar energy to chemical energy by absorbing sunlight and using it to drive the synthesis of organic compounds |
| Cristae | infoldings of the inner membrane of the mitochondria |
| Mitochondrial Matrix | enclosed by the inner membrane of the mitonchondrion, contains enzymes (catalyze some steps of cellular respiration), mDNA and ribosomes |
| Inner Mitochondrial Membrane | convoluted membrane forming cristae, divides the mitochondrion into the intermembrane space and the mitonchondrial matrix, proteins that function in cellular respiration are located in the membrane |
| Plastids | group of plant organelles, includes the chloroplasts, amyloplasts, colorless plastids (store starch), chromoplasts (have pigments that give fruits and flowers their orange and yellow hues) |
| Cytosol | the semifluid portion of the cytoplasm |
| Thylakoids | membranous system in the chloroplast in the form of flattened, interconnected sacs, segragates the stroma from the thylakoid space, contain chlorophyll, site of light reactions |
| Granum | stacks of thylakoids in the chloroplast |
| Stroma | dense fluid outside the thylakoids, contains the chloroplast DNA, ribosomes and enzymes, involved in the synthesis of organic molecules from carbon dioxide and water, site of Calvin cycle |
| Peroxisomes | an organelle containing enzymes that transfer hydrogen (H2) from various substrates to oxygen (O2), producing and then degrading hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) |
| Endosymbiosis | larger cells (evolving eukaryotes) engulf small prokaryotes, and the engulfed cells evolve into organelles (mitochondria/chloroplasts) |
| Evidence of Endosymbiosis | dbl membrane-bound explained by engulfment, each organelle contain prokaryote like: circular DNA, ribosomes, inner membrane, replication (semi-autonomous, binary fission) |
| Ribosomes | made of rDNA and protein, carry out protein synthesis, fall into free ribosomes and bound ribosomes |
| Free Ribosomes | ribosomes suspended in the cytosol, synthesize most proteins in the cell |
| Bound Ribosomes | ribosomes attached to the side of the ER or nuclear membrane, usually make proteins that are destined for insertion into membranes |
| Cytoskeleton | a network of fibers extending throughout the cytoplasm, functions include: cell support/shape, motility, regulation and intracellular transport |
| Centrosome | (animal cells only) a region usually near the nucleus where microtubules grow out from (for mitotic purposes only) |
| Centrioles | within the centrosome there is a pair of centrioles, each composed of nine sets of triplet microtubules arranged in a ring (for mitotic purposes only) |
| Microfilaments | built from actin (dynamic assembly), smallest of the 3 fibers, role in cell motility [muscle contraction, pseudopodia (amoeboid movement)], cytoplasmic streaming |
| Cytoplasmic Streaming | action brought about by microfilaments, a circular flow of cytoplasm withing cells |
| Intermediate Filaments | permanent fixtures of cells (no dynamic assembly), role: shape of cell, position of organelles, |
| Microtubules | built from tubulin (dynamic assembly), largest of the 3 fibers, fuctions: cell support, tracks along which organelles/vesicles equipped with motor proteins can move, separate chromosomes during cell division, pull on the cilia and flagella from the inside of the cell membrane to move the cell |
| Flagellum | locomotion organelle present in some animal cells, composed of a cluster of microtubules within an extention of the plasma membrane |
| Microvilli/Cillia | (motility) projections that increase the cell's surface area, composed of a cluster of microtubules within an extention of the plasma membrane |
| Extracellular Matrix | external to internal communication, the substance in which animal tissue cells are embedded, consisting of protein and polysaccharides synthesized and secreted by cells, glycoproteins/proteoglycans |
| Glycoprotein | protein covalently bonded to oligosaccharide |
| Proteoglycans | a glycoprotein consisting of a small core protein with many carbohydrate chains attached, found in extracellular matrix of animal cells |
| Intercellular Junctions in Animal Cells | tight junctions (plasma membranes of cell very tight against each other, proteins hold cells together), desmosomes (desmosomes fasten cells together, the desmosomes are anchored in the cytoplasm), gap junction (cytoplasmic channel between the cells) |
| Cell Wall | (not found in animal cells), cell shape, regulates intake of water, made of cellulose (in plants), |
| Plasmodesmata | an open channel in the cell wall of a plant through which strands of cytosol connect from an adjacent cell, water and small molecules can pass freely from cell to cell |
Combine with other sets
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