Cellular Structures Vocabulary Cards

Cell (Noun)

The smallest unit of a living organism (PLANT OR ANIMAL).

“I am made up of cells!”

Tissue (Noun)

A group of cells that perform one function.

“My cells form many tissuesin my body!”

Prokaryotic CellSingle-celled organisms with no nucleus. They were the first life forms on Earth.

“The bacteria in my body are

prokaryotic cells!”

Eukaryotic CellPlant and animal cells that have a nucleus,

membrane, and organelles.

“A tree and I are made of eukaryotic cells!”

Organelle (Noun)

A structure inside a cell that performs one function.

“A cell has many organellesworking inside it.”

Nucleus (Noun)

An organelle that controls cell’s activities. The “boss”…

“The nucleus of a cell is like the

brain in my body!”

Nucleolus (Noun)

Produces and stores RNA of the cell inside the nucleus.

“The nucleus has a nucleolus inside!”

Chromosome (Noun)

Chromosomes are rod-shaped structures found in the nucleus and made up of DNA molecules.

“Chromosomes can be found in the nucleus of a

cell.”

DNA MoleculesGenetic material that contain and store instructions for the cell’s activities.

“DNA molecules are found in the cell’s

chromosomes.”

RNA MoleculesGenetic material that processes instructions of DNA molecules in the ribosomes.

“RNA molecules make proteins in ribosomes using

DNA molecules.”

Ribosome (Noun)

Ribosomes are organelles that make proteins using RNA molecules inside chromosomes.

“Ribosomes make the cell’s proteins.”

Endoplasmic ReticulumAn organelle that transports proteins inside the cell.

“The endoplasmic

reticulummoves proteins inside a cell.”

Golgi BodyAn organelle that creates a layer around proteinsbefore they leave the cell.

“Proteins are protected by the

golgi bodybefore they exit a

cell.”

Lysosome (Noun)

Lysosomes are organelles that use enzymes to break down proteins.

“Proteins inside a cell are broken down by

lysosomes .”

Vacuole (Noun)

Vacuaoles are organelles where proteins are storedbefore they are broken down by lysosomes.

“Proteins are kept in vacuoles before they are used by

lysosomes .”

Mitochondrion (Noun)

Mitochondria are organelles that make energy for the cell from food.

“The mitochondriaare like a cell’s

factories.”

Cytoplasm (Noun)

A jelly-like fluid that surrounds the nucleus where all the cell’s activities take place.

“Organelles are found in the cell’s

cytoplasm .”

Cell MembraneThe outer covering of a cell that decides what goes in and out.

“Proteins enter and leave a cell through the cell

membrane .”

Cell WallA hard structure found only in plant cells that give them their shape.

“Plants are hard because their cells have cell walls .”

Chloroplast (Noun)

Chloroplasts are organelles found only in plantsthat contain chlorophyll.

“Plants are green because their cells

have chloroplasts .”