The Cell and Vocabulary
What is a cell?
The cell is the smallest unit of structure, function, and life.
What is the Mitochondria?
The mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell. It creates ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) needed for the cell to produce energy.
What is the difference between a vacuole and a vesicle?
Vesicles are small sacs in animal cells that move materials around the cell. A vacuole can act as a vesicle and a lysosome. They contain digestive enzymes. The large centraal vacuole stores water for the plant.
What is homeostasis?
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment inside your body, even when the external conditions change.
Describe the muscular and skeletal systems.
The skeletal system is your bones. They provide a frame to support and protect your internal body parts.
The muscular system works with the skeletal system (muscles pull on bones) to allow movement.
What is the difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
Prokaryotes: Prokaryote means before nucleus. They are the first cells and are simpler than eukaryotes. They do not have a nucleus or any membrane-bound organelles, and their DNA is found floating around in a clump. There are 2 types: Archaea and Bacteria.
Eukaryotes: Eukaryote means true nucleus. They developed from prokaryotes and are more complex. Prokaryotes have a nucleus, as well as membrane-bound organelles. Their DNA is in the nucleus. There are 3 types of Eukaryotic cells: Animalia, Plantae, and Fungi.
What is the nucleus?
The nucleus contains the cell's DNA. It is protected by a double membrane with pores to let substances in and out. It acts as the brain of the cell.
What is the Golgi Complex?
The golgi complex is the post office of the cell. It finalizes, packages and distributes protiens. It looks similar to the smooth E.R.
Describe epithelial tissue.
Epithelial tissue covers and protects underlying tissue, like the skin.
Describe the Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Nervous Systems.
The cardiovascular system contains the heart, blood, and blood vessels. It pumps blood and Oxygen throughout the body.
The Respiratory System contains your lungs. It absorbs Oxygen and releases Carbon Dioxide.
The Nervous system sends and receives electrical messages throughout the body.
What is the difference between plant and animal cells?
Plant cells: Plant cells are usually rectangular shaped. They don't contain lysosomes; instead, they have vacuoles or a large central vacuole. Plant cells have a cell wall made of cellulose and contain chloroplasts with chlorophyll.
Animal cells: Animal cells are circular and contain lysosomes. They don't have chloroplasts, a cell wall, or any vacuoles.
What is the nucleolus?
The nucleolus is located in the nucleus. It creates ribosomes.
What is the Cell Wall?
The cell wall is found in all cells except animalia. It is a rigid structure that supports the cell and surrounds the cell membrane. In plant cells, it is made of cellulose. In fungal cells, it is made of chitin.
Describe muscle tissue.
Muscle tissue is found in all of your muscles (hence the name). It is made of cells that contract and relax to move.
What is the difference between the female and male reproductive systems?
The male reproductive system produces and delivers sperm.
The female reproductive system produces eggs and nourishes the fetus.
Describe the cell theory.
The cell theory states that:
All living organisms contain at least 1 cell.
All cells come from existing cells.
The cell is the smallest unit of structure, function, and life.
Describe the Endoplasmic reticulum.
There are 2 types of endoplasmic reticulum.
Smooth E.R. makes lipids and helps break down toxins.
Rough E.R. holds ribosomes which make proteins.
What are Chloroplasts?
Photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplasts. Chloroplasts are green because they contain a pigment called Chlorophyll. Chlorophyll traps the energy from sunlight during photosynthesis.
Describe connective tissue.
Connective tissue joins, supports, protects, insulates, nourishes, and cushions organs, and keeps them from falling apart.
Describe the Urinary and Digestive systems.
The Urinary system removes blood wastes and regulates your body's fluids.
The digestive system breaks down the food you eat into nutrients.
List the 4 parts that all cells have in common and describe them.
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid. It is genetic material that carries information needed to make proteins, new cells, and new organisms.
Ribosomes: Ribosomes are found on Rough E.R. and floating around in the cytoplasm. They are made in the nucleolus and help make proteins.
Cell Membrane: All cells are surrounded by a cell membrane. It is semi-permeable, so it lets certain substances in and out. It protects the cell from the natural world.
Cytoplasm: The cytoplasm is a fluid that fills in the space between the nucleus and cell membrane. It holds the cell together. The fluid part of the cytoplasm is cytosol.
What is a lysosome?
Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes that break down wastes and damaged/old/worn-out organelles. They are mainly found in animal cells.
Describe the cytoskeleton.
The cytoskeleton is a web of proteins inside the cell that act as a skeleton and a muscle. The cytoskeleton helps the cell keep it's shape, and it helps some cells like bacteria to move.
Describe nervous tissue.
Nervous tissue sends electrical signals throughout the body. It is found in nerves, the brain, and sense organs.
Describe the Integumentary, Lymphatic, and Endocrine Systems.
The Integumentary System includes your skin, hair, and nails. It protects the tissue and other internal body parts underneath it.
The Lymphatic System returns leaked fluids to the blood and helps get rid of viruses and bacteria (along with the immune system).
The Endocrine System is your glands that send chemical messages.