Vocabulary
Term
Definition
Prokaryotic Cell
Cell that does not have a nucleus or other membrane
bound organelles.
Bacteria
Eukaryotic Cell
Cell that has a nucleus and other membrane bound
organelles.
Your cells!
Structure that is specialized to perform a distinct
process within a cell.
Mitochondrion
Organelle
Phospholipid
Fluid Mosaic Model
Molecule that forms a double-layered cell
membrane; made of a glycerol head with a
phosphate group attached (POLAR), and 2 fatty acid
chains (NON POLAR).
Model that describes the arrangement and
movement of the molecules (lipids, proteins,
cholesterol) that make up a cell membrane.
Selective Permeability
Allowing some substances, but not others, to cross
the membrane.
Receptor
Protein that detects a signal molecule and performs
an action in response.
Passive Transport
Movement of molecules across the cell membrane
without energy input from the cell (high to low
concentration).
Concentration
Gradient
Difference in the concentration of a substance from
one location to another.
Diffusion
Example
Movement of molecules from a region of high
concentration to a region of low concentration.
Cell membranes
Osmosis
Food coloring in water
Osmosis
Diffusion of water molecules across a membrane
from high water concentration to low water
concentration.
Isotonic
Equal solute concentrations in two solutions.
Salt water fish in fresh water
Hypertonic
Solution that has a higher solute concentration
compared to another solution.
Salt water vs. fresh water
Hypotonic
Solution that has a lower solute concentration
compared to another solution
Fresh water vs. salt water
Facilitated Diffusion
Diffusion of molecules assisted by protein channels
that pierce a cell membrane.
Active Transport
Movement of molecules across a membrane from
low to high concentration; requires energy
Endocytosis
Used by cells to take in large materials or liquids, the
cell membrane folds in and forms a vesicle.
Phagocytosis
Used by cells to take in large solid particle, the cell
membrane “grows” out around the particle.
Exocytosis
Release of substances out of a cell by the fusion of a
vesicle with the membrane.
ATP
Adenosine triphosphate; high energy molecule,
contains energy in phosphate bonds
ADP
Adenosine diphosphate; low energy molecule that
can be converted to ATP
White blood cells “eat”
pathogens
Chemosynthesis
Process by which ATP is made using chemicals as an
energy source instead of light.
Bacteria in hydrothermal
vents
Photosynthesis
Process by which light energy is converted to
chemical energy.
6CO2 + 6H2O  C6H12O6 + 6O2
Chlorophyll
Light-absorbing pigment molecules found in
photosynthetic organisms.
Makes plants green
Thylakoids
Membrane bound structures in chloroplasts that
contain chlorophyll and other pigments used in
photosynthesis.
Grana
Stroma
Stacks of thylakoids in chloroplasts.
Fluid in the chloroplast around the grana.
Chloroplast
Organelle in plants where photosynthesis occurs,
contains chlorophyll.
Light Dependent
Reactions
First part of photosynthesis, converts light energy
from sun to chemical energy. Occurs on thylakoid
membranes.
Light Independent
Reactions
Second part of photosynthesis, uses chemical energy
from light dep rxn to make glucose from CO2. Occurs
in stroma. AKA Calvin Cycle
Photosystems
Group of pigments in thylakoid membrane that
absorb and transfer light energy during light dep rxn.
Electron Transport
Chain (ETC)
Series of proteins that help turn ADP into ATP using
high energy electrons. Found in thylakoid and
mitochondrial membranes.
Cellular Respiration (last
step) and Photosynthesis
(part of light dep rxn)
ATP Synthase
Enzyme that adds a high-energy phosphate to ADP to
make ATP. Found in thylakoid and mitochondrial
membranes.
Calvin Cycle
Second part of photosynthesis, uses chemical energy
from light dep rxn to make glucose from CO2. Occurs
in stroma. AKA Light Independent Reactions
Process by which glucose (and other carbon based
molecules) is broken down to create ATP.
C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O
+ ATP
A process that needs oxygen.
Cellular Respiration
Anaerobic
A process that does not need oxygen.
Glycolysis
Glycolysis
Precursor to cellular respiration, glucose is broken
into two 3-carbon molecules (pyruvic acid).
Cellular Respiration
Aerobic
Mitochondria
Krebs Cycle
Fermentation
Lactic Acid
Organelle where cellular respiration occurs.
First step of cellular respiration, pyruvic acid is broken
down CO2 to create high energy molecules for ETC.
Anaerobic (no O2) process that allows glycolysis to
continue.
Created during lactic acid fermentation, makes your
muscles burn during intense exercise.
Animals: Lactic acid ferm.
Plants/fungi: Alcohol ferm.