Cell membrane
a thin, flexible barrier that surrounds all cells, separating the internal environment from the external environment and regulating the passage of substances in and out.
Cell wall
a structural layer that surrounds some types of cells, found outside the cell membrane, providing structural support, shape, protection, and acting as a selective barrie
Chloroplast
a double-membrane organelle found in plant and algal cells, specifically the site of photosynthesis, where sunlight is converted into chemical energy.
Cilia
tiny, hair-like projections on the surface of eukaryotic cells, acting as motile appendages for movement or as sensory receptors.
Cytoplasm
the gel-like, fluid-filled space within a cell, enclosed by the cell membrane, where organelles and other cellular components are suspended
cytoskeleton
a network of protein filaments that gives structure and support to cells
Goli apparatus
a cell organelle that processes and packages proteins and lipids, especially those destined for export, and also plays a role in carbohydrate synthesis.
Iysosome
a membrane-bound organelle that acts as the cell’s “stomach,” containing digestive enzymes to break down cellular waste, damaged organelles, and engulfed materials, essentially functioning as a recycling and waste disposal system.
Mitochondria
membrane-bound organelles, often called the “powerhouses of the cell,” that generate the energy needed for cellular processes through oxidative phosphorylation.
Nucleolus
a spherical, non-membrane-bound structure within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, primarily responsible for ribosome biogenesis and the synthesis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
nucleus
in biology, it’s the membrane-bound organelle within a cell containing the cell’s genetic material (DNA), and in physics/chemistry, it’s the positively charged central core of an atom, composed of protons and neutrons.
Ribosome
a complex molecular machine, composed of RNA and protein, that acts as the primary site for protein synthesis (translation) within cells, converting the genetic code from mRNA into specific amino acid sequences.
Rough ER
a network of membranes studded with ribosomes, playing a crucial role in protein synthesis, folding, and modification, particularly for proteins destined for secretion or incorporation into cellular membranes.
Smooth ER
a network of interconnected tubules and vesicles within the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, characterized by the absence of ribosomes and involved in various metabolic processes, including lipid and steroid synthesis, detoxification, and calcium storage.
Vacuole
a membrane-bound organelle within cells, typically containing water and other substances, and playing roles in storage, waste disposal, and maintaining cell turgor.
Centrioles
a cylindrical organelle, composed of microtubules, that plays a crucial role in organizing the microtubule network, particularly during cell division, and is essential for the formation of centrosomes, cilia, and flagella.
