CCT: Cell Structure and Transport Overview
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 protists; 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; aids in spindle formation
- Chloroplast: found in plant 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 ribosomes; 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 (pl. mitochondria): 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