| active transport |
a transport process that requires energy in which molecules move from a region of lower concentration to an area of higher concentration |
| anaphase |
the stage of mitosis in which sister chromatids are pulled apart by spindle fibres to opposide sides of the cell |
| antiporter |
a type of carrier protein that transports two molecules across the cell membrane at a time, in opposite directions |
| binary fission |
the process by which a single parent reproduces to form offspring |
| cell cycle |
a series of events that a cell goes through as it grows and divides |
| cell membrane |
a flexible phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins and other molecules; also known as the plasma membrane |
| cell theory |
the cell is the most basic unit of life, all living organisms are composed of one or more cells and all cells arise only from pre-existing cells |
| cell wall |
the rigid outer layer that provides structural support and protection for plant cells |
| cellular respiration |
the chemical process that converts glucose and oxygen into energy in the form of ATP for the cell to function |
| centrosome |
structures found near the cell nucleus that are important for cell division |
| chlorophyll |
the green pigment that captures light energy |
| chloroplast |
the organelle in which photosynthesis occurs |
| chromatin |
a complex made of DNA and proteins |
| cisternae |
stacked membrane structures that make up the Golgi apparatus |
| cristae |
the structures that the inner membrane of the mitochondria are folded into |
| cytokinesis |
the stage after mitosis in which the cell's cytoplasm divides to form two distinct daughter cells |
| cytoplasm |
the gel-like filling inside a cell |
| cytoskeleton |
a network of protein fibres that help organiste the contents of a cell |
| endoplasmic reticulum |
a network of membranes involved in protein and lipid synthesis; abbreviated to ER |
| eukaryotic cell |
a cell that has a well-defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles |
| facilitated diffusion |
a passive transport process in which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration with the help of special proteins |
| fluid mosaic model |
states that the cell membrane is a dynamic, flexible, semi-permeable phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins |
| G1 stage |
the stage of interphase in which the cell grows and carries out regular metabolic functions |
| G2 stage |
the stage of interphase in which the cell continues to grow and produce what it needs for mitosis |
| Golgi apparatus |
the organelle that modifies, sorts and packages proteins and lipids for transport |
| grana |
stacks of thylakoids |
| interphase |
the phase in which the cell grows and its genetic material is replicated |
| lumen |
channel |
| lysosome |
the organelle that contains digestive enzymes to break down excess or old cell parts, food particles and invading viruses or bacteria |
| matrix |
(in mitochondria) the space inside the cristae |
| metaphase |
the stage of mitosis in which the chromosomes align at the equator of the cell |
| mitochondria |
the powerhouse of the cell that produces energy in the form of ATP for the cell to function |
| mitosis |
the process by which a cell divides into two identical daughter cells |
| multicellular |
an organism consisting of multiple cells |
| nuclear envelope |
a double membrane that surrounds the nucleus |
| nucleolus |
a dense area within the nucleus where the ribosomal RNA is found |
| nucleoplasm |
the gel-like filling inside a nucleus |
| nucleus |
the control centre of the cell that houses the cell's genetic material |
| organelle |
a specialised structure in eukaryotic cells that performs a distinct function |
| photosynthesis |
the chemical process that converts carbon dioxide, water and energy from sunlight into oxygen and glucose |
| prokaryotic cell |
a cell that lacks a cell nucleus and membrane-bound organelles |
| prophase |
the stage of mitosis in which the chromosomes condense and the nuclear envelope begins to dissolve |
| rate of diffusion |
the amount of material that is transported over a specific amount of time |
| ribosome |
the organelle that reads instructions from the messenger RNA to assemble proteins |
| rough endoplasmic reticulum |
endoplasmic reticulum with ribosomes attached; involved in protein folding and modification |
| S stage |
the stage of interphase in which DNA replication occurs |
| simple diffusion |
a passive transport process in which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration |
| smooth endoplasmic reticulum |
endoplasmic reticulum with no ribosomes attached; involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification |
| stoma |
the gel-like fluid surrounding the grana |
| surface area |
the total area of the cell's outer membrane |
| surface area to volume ratio |
a measure that compares the size of a cell's surface to its volume |
| symporter |
a type of carrier protein that transports two molecules across the cell membrane at a time, in one direction |
| telophase |
the stage of mitosis in which the nuclear envelope reforms around the separated chromosomes and they recondense |
| thylakoid |
a membrane in the chloroplast |
| unicellular |
an organism consisting of a single cell |
| uniporter |
a type of carrier protein that transports one molecule across the cell membrane in one direction |
| vacuole |
a storage organelle that stores water, nutrients and waste products in animal cells, and nutrients and waste products in animal cells |
| vesicle |
a small compartment into which molecules can be packaged into for transport |
| volume |
the amount of space inside the cell |
