Key Concepts
Cells remained a mystery until the 1600's when this invention paved the way for their discovery...
What is a microscope?
Small structures within the cell that act like specialized organs, performing specific functions
What are organelles?
These organelles synthesize and assemble proteins, similar to workers in a factory
What are ribosomes?
This organelle stores materials like water, salts, proteins, and carbohydrates, similar to storage closets in a factory
What are vacuoles?
This organelle is "the powerhouse of the cell" helping it create usable energy, similar to electrical panels within a factory
What are mitochondria?
This scientist was the first to discover the cell on a piece of cork under a microscope
Who is Robert Hooke?
This molecule contains our genetic code and is often abbreviated to three letters
What is DNA?
This organelle aids in the production of proteins and lipids, similar to a conveyor belt in a factory
What is the endoplasmic reticulum?
This organelles breaks down lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins into small molecules that can be used by the cell, similar to the cleaning crew in a factory
What are lysosomes?
This organelle helps plant cells capture energy from the sun, similar to solar panels in a factory
What are chloroplasts?
This type of cell encloses its DNA in a nucleus and generally make larger, more complex organisms like animals and plants
What are eukaryotes?
This organelle contains nearly all the cell's DNA and acts like the main office in a factory for the cell
What is a nucleus?
This organelle packages, sorts and sends proteins throughout the cell, similar to the mailroom in a factory
What is the golgi apparatus?
This organelle regulates what enters and leaves the cell, similar to security officers in a factory
What is the cell membrane?
Why do plant cells have both mitochondria and chloroplasts?
Mitochondria: chemical energy -> usable fuel
This type of cell does not enclose its DNA in a nucleus and is typically small, single-celled organism like bacteria
What are prokaryotes?
This substance/organelle fills the cell and is what most organelles rest upon, similar to a factory floor
What is cytoplasm?
Proteins are important to cells and other living things because they function as...
The building blocks for most structures found within cells and living things
This organelle provides plant cells with additional structural support and protection
What is a cell wall?
This green chemical is found within chloroplasts
What is chlorophyll?
The cell theory states...
1. All living things are made of cells
2. Cells are the basic units of living things
3. New cells are produced from existing cells
What two organelles do plants cells have that animals cells do not?
What are the cell wall and chloroplasts?
The difference between rough endoplasmic reticulum and smooth endoplasmic reticulum is...
Rough ER - contains ribosomes
Smooth ER - doesn't contain ribosomes
This organelle helps the cell maintain its shape within the cell, similar to support beams in a factory
What is the cytoskeleton?
What process do plant cells utilize to harness sunlight and create energy
What is photosynthesis?