READ: Important Vocabulary Terms

READ: Important Vocabulary Terms

• Organelles are the different parts of the cell.

• Cytosol: a jelly-like substance inside of all cells.

• The nucleus is only found in eukaryotic cells. It contains most of the genetic material (the DNA) of the cell.

• DNA: The genetic material of the cell. The DNA tells the cell how to build molecules needed for life.

• Chromosomes are strands of DNA wrapped around proteins. They contain genes, or small units of genetic material (DNA) that contains the code for the creation of a protein.

• A mitochondrion is an organelle that is found in most eukaryotic cells. Mitochondria are called the "power plants" of the cell because they are the sites of cellular respiration, where they use energy from food to make ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

• ATP is the cell's energy source that is used for such things such as movement and cell division.

• Ribosomes are small organelles where proteins are made. They are found in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.  

• Chloroplasts are the organelles in plant cells that do photosynthesis.

• Photosynthesis converts the sun's solar energy into chemical energy. This chemical energy, which is sugar, serves as "food" for the plant.

• Vacuoles are storage compartments in cells that hold things like water, nutrients, and wastes. Plant cells have a large central vacuole.

• The cell wall surrounds the plasma membrane but does not keep substances from entering or leaving the cell. A cell wall gives the plant cell strength and protection.