Homeostasis and Cells

Front

Homeostasis Noun

---

[hoh-mee-oh-stey-sis]

Back

Homeostasis

---

The process by which organisms maintain relatively constant internal physical and chemical conditions necessary for survival.

---

Example: This diagram shows how the body maintains a stable internal temperature (homeostasis) by reacting to heat (sweating) and cold (shivering and constricting blood vessels).

Front

Unicellular Adjective

---

[yoo-ni-sel-yuh-ler]

Back

Unicellular

---

Describing an organism that consists of a single cell, which must perform all essential functions of life.

---

Example: This image shows three examples of unicellular organisms (Amoeba, Euglena, Paramecium), which are living beings made of just one single cell.

Front

Multicellular Adjective

---

[muhl-tee-sel-yuh-ler]

Back

Multicellular

---

Describing an organism composed of many cells, which are typically specialized to perform different, coordinated functions.

---

Example: This diagram shows that a large muscle is made of many smaller, specialized muscle cells, which is the definition of a multicellular structure.

Front

Prokaryote Noun

---

[proh-kar-ee-oht]

Back

Prokaryote

---

A unicellular organism that lacks a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles, such as a bacterium.

---

Example: This diagram shows a bacterium, a type of prokaryote. It highlights key parts like the free-floating DNA in the nucleoid, showing it lacks a nucleus.

Front

Eukaryote Noun

---

[yoo-kar-ee-oht]

Back

Eukaryote

---

An organism whose cells contain a nucleus and other organelles that are enclosed within membranes.

---

Example: This diagram shows a eukaryotic cell, which has a true nucleus containing its DNA and other specialized parts called organelles, all enclosed by a membrane.

Front

Cell Specialization Noun

---

[sel spesh-uh-luh-zey-shuhn]

Back

Cell Specialization

---

The process in multicellular organisms where cells develop in different ways to perform particular, distinct tasks.

---

Example: This diagram shows how unspecialized stem cells can develop into many different types of specialized cells, like muscle, nerve, and blood cells.

Front

Chloroplast Noun

---

[klawr-uh-plast]

Back

Chloroplast

---

An organelle in plant and algal cells that captures light energy and converts it into chemical energy.

---

Example: This diagram shows a chloroplast, the part of a plant cell inside a leaf where photosynthesis happens, and labels its key internal structures.

Front

Tissue Noun

---

[tish-oo]

Back

Tissue

---

A group of similar, specialized cells that work together to perform a particular function within a multicellular organism.

---

Example: This diagram shows that a tissue is a group of similar cells working together, and that tissues combine to form a larger structure, an organ.

Front

Organ Noun

---

[awr-guhn]

Back

Organ

---

A structure composed of different types of tissues that work together to perform a series of specialized tasks.

---

Example: An organ, like the heart, is a structure made of specialized tissues and cells, such as cardiac muscle cells, that work together.

Front

Organ System Noun

---

[awr-guhn sis-tuhm]

Back

Organ System

---

A group of organs that cooperate and work together to perform a major, specific function in the body.

---

Example: This diagram shows the human respiratory system, where organs like the lungs and airways work together to perform a specific function, defining an organ system.