Chapter 6 Vocab Key
Cell: smallest unit of life
Element: a pure substance that is made up of only one type of atom
Carbohydrate: an organic molecule that provides energy for the cell.
Lipid: an organic molecule that provides energy storage, insulation, and protection for the cell.
Protein: an organic molecule that has multiple functions of structure, transport, enzymatic reactions, and
movement.
Nucleic Acids: an organic molecule that stores and transmits all hereditary information, this information is used
to make proteins.
Enzyme: A special type of protein that speeds up chemical reactions.
Phospholipid: A special type of lipid that is the primary component of membranes in the cell.
Prokaryote: a type of cell that has no nucleus or membrane bound organelles
Eukaryote: a type of cell that does have a nucleus and other membrane bound organelles.
Solute: the chemical that is being dissolve in a liquid
Solution: the chemical or substance that is doing the dissolving, this is usually a liquid.
Isotonic: this occurs when the solute concentration inside and outside of the cell are equal.
Hypotonic: this occurs when the solute concentration is less outside than inside of the cell.
Hypertonic: this occurs when the solute concentration is more outside than inside of the cell.
Diffusion: the movement of “anything” from high to low concentrations.
Osmosis: the movement of water molecules from high to low concentrations.
Concentration Gradient: the difference between concentrations in two different areas that are next to each other
Mitochondria: an organelle found in both plants and animal cells that break down glucose for energy, this
process is known as respiration.
Chloroplast: an organelle found only in plant cells that produce glucose using sunlight, this process is known as
photosynthesis.
Passive Transport: when molecules move through the membrane down their concentration gradient, this does
not require any additional energy input.
Active Transport: when molecules move against their concentration gradient, this does require additional
energy to be used.
Facilitated Diffusion: the movement of big molecules through a protein channel in the membrane down their
concentration gradient, these molecules need “help” getting across the membrane because they are so big.
Exocytosis: this is the process used by a cell to get rid of molecules, wastes, and/or toxins.
Endocytosis: this is the process used by cells to take in nutrients and other molecules.
Mitosis: this is the process that a cell goes through to divide, the purpose of this is to replace old cells with new
cells or to replace sick cells with healthy cells.