Cell Vocab List 1

The basic building blocks that make up all animals. They are eukaryotic cells, meaning they have a nucleus (which contains the cell's DNA) and other specialized structures called organelles, all enclosed within a cell membrane. These cells come in various shapes and sizes, depending on their specific function within the animal's body.

• Animal Cell

• Plant Cell

• Bacterial Cell

• Fungal Cell

Tiny, single-celled organisms that are considered one of the three main domains of life, along with bacteria and eukaryotes. Many of these are known as extremophiles because they thrive in extreme environments like hot springs or salty water.

• Archaea

• Fungi

• Protozoa

• Algae

Extremely tiny, single-celled living things that can be found everywhere. They are so small that you need a microscope to see them. Most of these are helpful, playing roles in digestion, soil formation, and medicine production. However, some can cause infections and diseases.

• Bacteria

• Viruses

• Fungi

• Algae

A thin, flexible layer that surrounds all cells, separating the inside of the cell from its environment. It's like a gatekeeper, controlling what goes in and out of the cell, and is made of a lipid bilayer, which is semi-permeable.

• Cell Membrane (plasma membrane)

• Nucleus

• Cell Wall

• Mitochondria

A fundamental structure in cell membranes, forming a barrier that separates the cell's interior from its external environment.

• Lipid Bilayer

• Cell Wall

• Nucleus

• Cytoplasm

These are like the fats and oils in our food, but they're also found in our bodies. They're important for storing energy, building cell parts, and helping with other important jobs. Think of them as the waxy, oily, or fatty substances that help our bodies work.

• Lipid

• Protein

• Carbohydrate

• Nucleic acid

A rigid outer layer that provides support and protection to plant, bacterial, fungal, and some algal cells.

• Cell Wall

• Cell Membrane

• Nucleus

• Cytoplasm

The jelly-like substance inside a cell that holds all the cell's parts (organelles) in place and helps them function.

• Cytoplasm

• Nucleus

• Cell membrane

• Mitochondria

Short for deoxyribonucleic acid, is like a set of instructions that tells your body how to grow and work.

• DNA

• RNA

• ATP

• Enzyme

A type of cell that has a nucleus, a central compartment where its DNA is stored. Think of it like a room in a house where important papers (the DNA) are kept safe and organized. All plants, animals, and fungi are made of these types of cells.

• Eukaryote (Eukaryotic)

• Prokaryote (Prokaryotic)

• Virus

• Bacteriophage