Cells Vocabulary

cell  smallest unit of life

cell membrane  the outer covering that protects all cells

cytoplasm  the gelatin-like material inside every cell

prokaryotic  a type of cell that has no membrane- bound structures or nucleus

cell wall  protects the cells of plants, algae, fungi, and most bacteria but is not found in animal cells

cytoskeleton  scaffolding-like structure in cytoplasm which helps keep its shape

eukaryotic  a type of cell that has membrane-bound structures and organelles

nucleus  directs all activities of cells and includes DNA

chloroplasts  green organelles in the cytoplasm of plant cells

mitochondria  organelles which release energy stored in food that cells need; known as the “powerhouse of the cell”

ribosomes  make proteins for cell acitivities

endoplasmic reticulum  a series of rough or smooth membranes that move materials around in a cell

Golgi bodies  organelles that move substances out of the cell or to other parts of the cell

vacuoles  membrane-bound temporary storage spaces; plant cells have a central vacuole

lysosomes  recycling organelles that break down food molecules and cell wastes

tissue  group of similar cells that work together to do one job

organ  different types of tissues working together

organ system  a group of organs working together on a particular function

organism  organ systems work together to form the entire organism