GLOSSARY UNIT 2
Animal Cells - eukaryotic cells that contain various membrane-bound
organelles.
Apoptosis - a controlled sequence of steps in which cells signal selftermination.
Biology - the study of living organisms.
Cell - the fundamental unit of life.
Cellular Respiration - a process by which cells harvest the energy stored in
food.
Cell Cycle - the life cycle of a dividing cell, including Interphase and the M
phase or Mitotic phase (mitosis and cytokinesis).
Cell Membrane - a thin semi-permeable membrane that surrounds the
cytoplasm of a cell.
Cell Theory - one of the five basic principles of biology, stating that the
cell is the basic unit of life.
Chromatin - the mass of genetic material composed
of DNA and proteins that condense to form chromosomes during
eukaryotic cell division.
Chromosome - a long, stringy aggregate of genes that carries heredity
information (DNA) and is formed from condensed chromatin.
Cytokinesis - the division of the cytoplasm that produces distinct daughter
cells.
Cytoplasm - all of the contents outside of the nucleus and enclosed within
the cell membrane of a cell.
Cytoskeleton - a network of fibers throughout the cell's cytoplasm that
helps the cell maintain its shape and gives support to the cell.
Daughter Cell - a cell resulting from the replication and division of a
single parent cell.
Endoplasmic Reticulum - a network of tubules and flattened sacs that
serve a variety of functions in the cell.
Gametes - reproductive cells that unite during sexual reproduction to
form a new cell called a zygote.
Gene Theory - one of the five basic principles of biology, stating that traits
are inherited through gene transmission.
Genes - segments of DNA located on chromosomes that exist in
alternative forms called alleles.
Golgi Complex - the cell organelle that is responsible for manufacturing,
warehousing, and shipping certain cellular products.
Lysosomes - the membranous sacs of enzymes that can digest
cellular macromolecules.
Mitochondria - cell organelles that convert energy into forms that are
usable by the cell.
Mitosis - a phase of the cell cycle that involves the separation of nuclear
chromosomes followed by cytokinesis.
Nucleus - a membrane-bound structure that contains the cell's hereditary
information and controls the cell's growth and reproduction.
Organelles - tiny cellular structures, that carry out specific functions
necessary for normal cellular operation.
Plant Cells - eukaryotic cells that contain various membrane-bound
organelles. They are distinct from animal cells, containing various
structures not found in animal cells.
Prokaryotes - single-celled organisms that are the earliest and most
primitive forms of life on earth.
Ribosomes - cell organelles that are responsible for assembling proteins.