Chapter 8 Vocab Words

Front

Cell

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basic unit of all forms of life

Front

Cell Membrane

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thin, flexible barrier that surrounds all cells; regulates what enters and leaves the cell

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Nucleus

Back

in cells, structure that contains the cell's genetic material in the form of DNA

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Eukaryote

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organism whose cells contain a nucleus

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Prokaryote

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unicellular organism that lacks a nucleus

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Cytoplasm

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jellylike substance inside cells that contains molecules and organelles (but is outside the nucleus)

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Organelle

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specialized structure that performs important cellular functions within a eukaryotic cell

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Ribosome

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cell structure that synthesizes proteins

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Mitochondrion

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organelle that converts chemical energy stored in food into compounds the cell can use

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Chloroplast

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organelle found in plant cells that captures energy from sunlight and converts it into chemical energy