Cell Structure and Function

Front

Cell Noun

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[sel]

Back

Cell

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The smallest structural and functional unit of an organism, which is considered the basic building block of life.

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Example: A diagram of a cell showing the nucleus, cytoplasm, and cell membrane as basic components.

Front

Cell Membrane Noun

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[sel mem-breyn]

Back

Cell Membrane

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A flexible covering that protects the inside of a cell and controls what substances enter and leave.

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Example: The image shows the cell membrane's structure, highlighting phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates, explaining how it controls what enters and leaves the cell.

Front

Cytoplasm Noun

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[sahy-tuh-plaz-uhm]

Back

Cytoplasm

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The fluid inside a cell, surrounded by the cell membrane, that contains salts, other molecules, and organelles.

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Example: The image shows the cytoplasm as the fluid inside the cell that surrounds organelles.

Front

Semipermeable Adjective

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[sem-ee-pur-mee-uh-buhl]

Back

Semipermeable

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A property of cell membranes that allows only certain substances to pass through it, controlling cellular transport.

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Example: The image shows a semipermeable membrane allowing only water molecules to pass, demonstrating osmosis.

Front

Cell Wall Noun

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[sel wawl]

Back

Cell Wall

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A stiff structure outside the cell membrane that protects the cell and provides structural support in plants.

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Example: The image shows the cell wall as a green outline surrounding a plant cell, providing structure and protection.

Front

Surface Area Noun

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[sur-fis air-ee-uh]

Back

Surface Area

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The total area of a cell's outer surface, which is the cell membrane, affecting substance transport rates.

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Example: The image shows how to calculate the surface area of a cube using its net and labeled dimensions.

Front

Volume Noun

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[vol-yoom]

Back

Volume

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The amount of space inside a cell, which influences the cell's metabolic needs and waste production.

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Example: The image shows how cell volume affects diffusion, impacting metabolic needs.

Front

Organelle Noun

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[awr-guh-nel]

Back

Organelle

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A specialized structure within a eukaryotic cell that is enclosed by a membrane and performs a specific function.

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Example: The image shows organelles like the nucleus and mitochondria inside a eukaryotic cell, each performing specific functions.

Front

Amino Acid Noun

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[uh-mee-noh as-id]

Back

Amino Acid

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The molecular building blocks that join together in long chains to form essential molecules called proteins.

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Example: The image shows the basic structure of an amino acid, including the amino group, carboxyl group, and side chain.

Front

Protein Noun

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[proh-teen]

Back

Protein

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A large molecule made of a long chain of amino acids, essential for many cell functions like transport.

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Example: The image shows how amino acids link to form a protein chain, highlighting key parts like the amine and carboxyl groups.