3.1-3.4 Key Terms Science Tita 2012-2013

the basic unit of structure and function in a living thing

a widely accepted explanation of the relationship between cells and living things

made of a single cell

consisting of many cells

a group of similar cells that perform the same function

a structure in the body that is composed of different kinds of tissue

a group of organs that work together to perform a major function in the body

a tiny cell structure that carries out a specific function within a cell

a rigid layer of nonliving material that surrounds the cells of plants and some other organisms

a protein "framework" inside a cell that gives the cell a shape

the outside cell boundary that controls which substances can enter or leave the cell

the control center of a eukaryotic cell that directs the cell's activities and contains the information that determines the cell's form and function

the material within a cell apart from the nucleus

rod-shaped cell structures that convert energy into food molecules to energy the cell can use to carry out its functions

a cell structure that forms passageways in which proteins and other materials are carried through the cell

a small grain-like structure in the cytoplasm of a cell where proteins are made

a structure in a cell that recieves proteins and other newly formed materials fromt eh endoplasmic reticulum, packages them, and distributes them to other parts of the cell

a structure in the cells of plants and some other organisms that captures energy from sunlight and uses it to produce food

a sac inside the cell that acts as a storage area

a small, round cell structure containing chemicals that break down large food particles into smaller ones

any substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances

two or more elements that are chemically combined

an energy-rich organic compound made of the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen

large, organic molecules made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and sometimes sulfur

a small molecule that is linked chemically to other amino acids to form proteins

a protein that speeds up chemical reactions in a living thing

energy-rich organic compound, such as fat, oil, or wax, that is made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen

a very large organic molecule made of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and phosphorus, that contain the instructions cells need to carry out all the functions of life

deoxyribonucleic acid; the genetic material that carries information about an organism and is passed down from parent to offspring

ribonucleic acid; a nucleic acid that plays an important role in the production of proteins

a property of cell membranes that allows some substances to pass through, while others cannot

the process by which molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration

the diffusion of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane

the movement of materials through a cell membrane without using the cell's energy

the movement of materials through a cell membrane using energy