Cells Flashcards
(32 cards)
What are the seven characteristics of life?
Growth and change; Obtain & use energy; Reproduction; Homeostasis; Excretion; Respond to stimuli; Made of cells.
What is a cell?
The smallest unit capable of performing life functions; the basic building block of living organisms.
How does the size and shape of a cell relate to its function?
The size and shape of a cell are related to the job it performs.
What is a unicellular organism?
An organism made of one cell that performs all life functions.
What is a multicellular organism?
An organism made of many cells, each performing a specialized function.
What are the two main types of cells?
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells.
What are prokaryotic cells?
Simple cells without membrane-bound organelles; DNA is not in a true nucleus.
E.g., bacteria.
What are eukaryotic cells?
Complex cells with membrane-bound organelles.
E.g., animals, plants, fungi, protists.
What are protists?
Mostly unicellular eukaryotic organisms that live in water and show animal- or plant-like features.
How does a Euglena move and get energy?
Has flagella for movement, chloroplasts for photosynthesis, and an eyespot to detect light.
What helps Paramecium move and eat?
Cilia for movement, food vacuole for digestion, and contractile vacuole to pump out excess water.
How does an Amoeba move and capture food?
Uses pseudopodia (false feet) to move and trap food.
What is the function of the cell wall?
Provides structure and support; made of cellulose; found in plants, algae, fungi, and most bacteria.
What does the cell membrane do?
Protects the cell and controls what enters and exits.
What is cytoplasm?
Gel-like fluid inside the cell where organelles float; mostly water.
What is the cytoskeleton?
Protein scaffolding that helps the cell maintain or change shape.
What does the nucleus do?
Controls cell activities and contains DNA.
What is the nuclear membrane?
Surrounds the nucleus and controls material movement in and out of it.
What is the nucleolus?
Found inside the nucleus; makes ribosomes.
What is chromatin?
Material made of DNA and proteins that form chromosomes.
What are chloroplasts and where are they found?
Organelles in plant cells that carry out photosynthesis.
What is chlorophyll?
Green pigment in chloroplasts that captures sunlight for photosynthesis.
What do mitochondria do?
Release energy from food; known as the powerhouse of the cell.
What do ribosomes do?
Make proteins; found floating in cytoplasm or attached to the ER.
