cell -smallest fundamental unit of life -have ability to communicate with other cells -provide protection and support for the body -store genetic information cell theory 1) all organisms are composed of cells 2) cells arise by division of pre-existing cells limit on cell size Individual cell size is limited by the surface area/volume ratio which demonstrates that as cell size increases, the volume increases at a greater rate. Because the cells' surface areas must heed exchange requirements, cell stay small. cellular respiration conversion of energy contained in bonds of organic molecules into energy used to perform cellular work cellular metabolism the sum of all endergonic and exergonic reactions prokaryote Earliest cell type, lack membrane-bound organelles, single circular DNA eukaryote Contains membrane-bound organelles that allow separation of space and time cytoskeleton the network of interconnected filaments and microtubules within a cell; flagella move the cell, cilia move material across the surface of the cell Plasma membrane or cell membrane Formed from a phospholipid bilayer (fluid) and various membrane proteins (mosaic) that can act asreceptors, pores, selective channels, and carriers; proteins offer control of substance movement through membrane; gases and small non-polar molecules can cross the plasma membrane phospholipid Phospholipids are made up a phosphate group attached to a glycerol molecule (hydrophilic or water loving) and two fatty acid tails (hydrophobic or water hating); dissolved gases, e.g. O2, CO2 can pass the phospholipids into or out of cell aquaporin Protein channel that allows water to move across membrane in response to concentration gradient organelles small membranous or non-membranous structures that occur within the cell and have various functions nucleus Contained within double membrane nuclear envelope, with pores (allow RNA and ribosomes to exit and proteins to enter), that is continuous with endoplasmic reticulum; contains majority of genetic material within the cell chromatin uncoiled DNA found in the nucleoplasm within nucleus