Molecules Needed by the Cells

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Cells Noun

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[sels]

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Cells

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The smallest structural and functional unit of an organism, which is the basic building block of all known living things.

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Example: This image shows a simple animal cell with its internal parts, called organelles, but does not name them.

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Molecule Noun

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[mol-uh-kyool]

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Molecule

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A group of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds, representing the smallest unit of a chemical compound.

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Example: This shows a carbon dioxide (CO2) molecule, where one carbon atom is chemically bonded to two oxygen atoms, forming a single unit.

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Glucose Noun

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[gloo-kohs]

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Glucose

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A simple sugar molecule that serves as an important energy source for cells through the process of cellular respiration.

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Example: This image shows the detailed chemical structure of a single glucose molecule, a type of sugar made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms.

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Amino Acid Noun

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[uh-mee-noh as-id]

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Amino Acid

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An organic compound that serves as a building block for proteins, which are essential for growth and tissue repair.

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Example: This diagram shows a large protein breaking down into its small building blocks, which are called amino acids.

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Oxygen Noun

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[ok-si-jen]

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Oxygen

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A gaseous molecule essential for cellular respiration, where it is used to release energy from food molecules like glucose.

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Example: This image shows that the oxygen gas we breathe is a molecule made of two oxygen atoms, represented by the chemical symbol O₂.

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Carbon Dioxide Noun

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[kar-buhn dahy-ok-sahyd]

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Carbon Dioxide

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A waste molecule produced during cellular respiration when cells break down food molecules to release energy for bodily functions.

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Example: This image shows Carbon Dioxide as a product of cellular respiration, displaying its molecular structure of one carbon and two oxygen atoms.

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Chemical Reaction Noun

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[kem-i-kuhl ree-ak-shuhn]

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Chemical Reaction

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A process that involves the rearrangement of atoms and molecules to form new substances, often releasing or absorbing energy.

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Example: This image shows how starting molecules (reactants) break their bonds and rearrange their atoms to form completely new molecules (products).

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Cellular Respiration Noun

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[sel-yuh-ler res-puh-rey-shuhn]

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Cellular Respiration

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The chemical process in cells where oxygen and glucose are used to produce energy, water, and carbon dioxide.

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Example: This diagram shows that cells use glucose (sugar) and oxygen to create energy (ATP), releasing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts.

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Energy Noun

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[en-er-jee]

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Energy

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The capacity to do work or cause change, released from food molecules to power all life processes and functions.

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Example: A ball at the top of a ramp has stored potential energy, which changes to kinetic energy (the energy of motion) as it rolls down.

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System Noun

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[sis-tuhm]

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System

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A group of interacting or interdependent parts that form a complex whole, such as the organ systems in a body.

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Example: The circulatory system shows how parts like the heart, lungs, and blood vessels work together to transport blood throughout the body.