Module 7 Vocabulary

Front

Cell

Back

Basic unit of structure and organization of all living organisms.

Front

Cell theory

Back

States that (1) organisms are made of one or more cells; (2) cells are the basic unit of life; (3) all cells come only from other cells.

Front

Cell membrane

Back

Flexible, selectively permeable boundary that helps control what enters and leaves the cell.

Front

Organelle

Back

Specialized internal cell structure that carries out specific cell functions such as protein synthesis and energy transformation.

Front

Eukaryote

Back

Unicellular organism with membrane-bound nucleus and organelles; generally larger and more complex than a prokaryotic cell.

Front

Nucleus

Back

In eukaryotic cells, the central membrane-bound organelle that manages cellular functions and contains DNA.

Front

Prokaryote

Back

Microscopic, unicellular organism without a nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles.

Front

Phospholipid bilayer

Back

Plasma membrane layers composed of phospholipid molecules arranged with polar heads facing the outside and nonpolar tails facing the inside.

Front

Transport protein

Back

Protein that moves substances or wastes through the plasma membrane.

Front

Fluid mosaic model

Back

A plasma membrane with components constantly in motion, sliding past one another within the lipid bilayer.