Chapter 2 vocabulary

The smallest unit of life

The outer layer or coating that surrounds the cell and controls which molecules enter and leave the cell

tough, rigid outer covering that protects certain cells and gives them shape.

an organelle that absorbs light energy and converts it into chemical energy for the manufacture of food in the process called photosynthesis

A chemical combination of atoms of two or more different elements.

Is jelly like fluid made up of water, salts and dissolved organic molecules that is enclosed by the cell membrane and provides the right environment for the many chemical reactions needed to produce energy, convert organic molecules into needed proteins, or breakdown old proteins to be recycled.

An internal skeleton in cells made of a network of fibers that hold the organelles of the cells in place, maintains the shape of the cell, and provides a system of “tracks” that motor proteins use to move cell products from place to place inside a cell or to the cell membrane.

One of the 118 different types of atoms, which all matter is composed; a substance composed of atoms with the same atomic number

A protein that controls and speed up, chemical reactions without being changed or used up

A membrane-bound cell that contains a membrane-bound nucleus

A protein that directs cells to perform specific tasks

an organelle that provides energy for all energy-requiring processes of cell (plural: mitochondria.)

the organelle that directs the cells activities and stores DNA

A small membrane bound structure that performs services of a cell

a molecule that contain carbon and hydrogen

A cell that lacks a internal membrane bound structure, such as a nucleolus and other organelles

an organelle made of protein and RNA that assemble proteins from amino acids.