Cells are Cool!

How do we know? Just watch the video below and you will find out!

Module Lessons Preview

In this module, we will study the following topics:

Module Key Terms

cell - the basic unit of life
cell theory- describes the properties of cells; all living things are made up of one or more cells; new cells come from old cells; cells are the basic unit of structure and function of life
organelle- a structure within a cell that carries out a specific function
nucleus (pl. nuclei)- the control center of the cell; where DNA is located
nuclear membrane/nuclear envelope- the membrane that surrounds the cell
unicellular- an organism composed of one cell
multicellular- an organism composed of more than one cell
eukaryote- a cell that has a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
prokaryote- a cell that lacks a nucleus
cell membrane or plasma membrane- the outer layer of the cell that controls what enters and leaves the cell; cells have a selectively permeable membrane
cell wall- a tough, but flexible layer that is on the outside of the cell membrane; found in plants, fungi, bacteria, and some protist; provides support and protection
nucleolus (pl. nucleoli)- the part of the nucleus where ribosomes are made
centrioles- involved in cell reproduction; found in animal cells; aide in spindle formation
chloroplast- found in plant and animal cells; an organelle that contains chlorophyll, where photosynthesis occurs
chromatin- a tangled mass of DNA and proteins
chromosomes- when chromatin forms a tightly mass of DNA during cell division
cytoplasm- a gel-like substance that surrounds the organelles; site of chemical reactions
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)- a type of nucleic acid that contains genes and directs cell activities
endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-an organelle that is composed of a set of tubules that transport proteins in the cell; “rough” ER has proteins; smooth ER does not
Golgi complex- an organelle that packages and processes proteins before they leave the cell
lysosome- an organelle that contains digestive enzymes that breakdown food and waste; not usually found in plant cells
mitochondrion- an organelle that produces energy (ATP)
vacuole- an organelle used for storage
ribosome- organelle made of RNA that is the site of protein synthesis
selectively permeable membrane- a living or nonliving membrane that lets certain things pass-through
passive transport- movement across the cell membrane without using the cell’s energy; a type of diffusion
diffusion- a movement of molecules from an area of high to low concentration
osmosis- a movement of water from high to low concentration
facilitated diffusion/transport- when a carrier molecule located in the cell membrane helps a molecule get into the cell that normally would not be able to enter
carrier protein- special proteins located in the cell membrane that create a “tunnel” that helps large molecules get into the cell
active transport- a movement of molecules from areas of low to high concentration; requires the cell’s energy (ATP)
receptor-mediated transport- a type of transport where substances bind to specialized molecules before becoming engulfed
endocytosis-a type of active transport where molecules are engulfed into the cell
exocytosis- a type of active transport where molecules leave the cell
pinocytosis- a type of endocytosis where liquids are taken into the cell
phagocytosis- a type of endocytosis where food (solid particles) are taken into the cell
isotonic- a solution where there is an equal concentration on each side of the membrane
hypertonic- a solution that has a higher concentration of the dissolved substance than on the other side of the membrane
hypotonic- a solution that has a lower concentration of the dissolved substance than on the other side of the membrane
solute- what gets dissolved in a solution
solvent- what dissolves the solute
microscope– an instrument that allows us to see things that you normally cannot see with the naked eye
light microscope– a type of microscope that uses light and two lenses to magnify an object