2.1 Biology = Cell Structure & Function

Question 1

What is a cell? / Qu’est-ce qu’une cellule ?

Answer 1

The basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms. / L’unité structurelle et fonctionnelle de base de tous les organismes vivants.

Cell
cella
small room, storeroom
“a small enclosed space”

Part of Speech: noun
Origin: Latin → Modern English
Example Sentence: A cell is the smallest structural and functional unit of life.
Note: The Latin root cella also appears in words like cellar and cellophane, keeping the idea of an enclosed space.

Question 2

What is the cell theory? / Quelle est la théorie cellulaire ?

Answer 2

All living things are made of cells; the cell is the basic unit of life; all cells come from pre-existing cells. / Tous les êtres vivants sont composés de cellules ; la cellule est l’unité de base de la vie ; toutes les cellules proviennent de cellules préexistantes.

Question 3

What are the two main types of cells? / Quels sont les deux principaux types de cellules ?

Answer 3

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. / Cellules procaryotes et eucaryotes.

Question 4

What is a prokaryotic cell? / Qu’est-ce qu’une cellule procaryote ?

Answer 4

A cell without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles (e.g., bacteria). / Une cellule sans noyau ni organites liés à une membrane (par ex., bactéries).

Prokaryotic Cell
pro + karyon + -tic
before + kernel/nucleus + relating to
“relating to before the nucleus”

Part of Speech: noun
Origin: Greek → Modern English
Example Sentence: A prokaryotic cell does not have a true nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.
Note: The prefix pro- means “before,” and karyon means “nut” or “kernel,” referring to the nucleus.

Question 5

What is a eukaryotic cell? / Qu’est-ce qu’une cellule eucaryote ?

Answer 5

A cell with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles (e.g., plant and animal cells). / Une cellule avec un noyau et des organites liés à une membrane (par ex., cellules végétales et animales).

Eukaryotic Cell
eu + karyon + -tic
true/good + kernel/nucleus + relating to
“relating to a true nucleus”

Part of Speech: noun
Origin: Greek → Modern English
Example Sentence: A eukaryotic cell has a nucleus enclosed by a membrane and contains organelles.
Note: The prefix eu- means “true” or “good,” contrasting with pro-, meaning “before.”

Question 6

What is the function of the nucleus? / Quelle est la fonction du noyau ?

Answer 6

Controls cell activities and contains genetic material (DNA). / Contrôle les activités cellulaires et contient le matériel génétique (ADN).

Nucleus
nucleus
kernel, core
“central part”

Part of Speech: noun
Origin: Latin → Modern English
Example Sentence: The nucleus acts as the control centre of the cell.
Note: Related to words like nuclear and nucleic acid.

Question 7

What is the function of the cell membrane? / Quelle est la fonction de la membrane cellulaire ?

Answer 7

Protects the cell and regulates what enters and exits. / Protège la cellule et régule ce qui entre et sort.

Cell Membrane
cell + membrana
small room + thin skin
“a thin skin around a small room”

Part of Speech: noun
Origin: Latin → Modern English
Example Sentence: The cell membrane controls what enters and leaves the cell.
Note: The Latin membrana also gives us “membrane,” “membranous,” and “membranophone.”

Question 8

What is the function of the cytoplasm? / Quelle est la fonction du cytoplasme ?

Answer 8

The jelly-like substance where organelles are suspended and cellular processes occur. / Substance gélatineuse où les organites sont suspendus et où se déroulent les processus cellulaires.

Cytoplasm
kytos + plasma
hollow vessel + molded substance
“formed material within a hollow”

Part of Speech: noun
Origin: Greek → Modern English
Example Sentence: The cytoplasm fills the cell and holds organelles in place.
Note: The root cyto- means “cell,” and -plasm appears in words like chloroplast and protoplasm.

Question 9

What is the function of mitochondria? / Quelle est la fonction des mitochondries ?

Answer 9

The powerhouse of the cell; produces energy (ATP) through respiration. / La centrale énergétique de la cellule ; produit de l’énergie (ATP) par la respiration.

Mitochondrion
mitos + chondrion
thread + granule
“thread-like granule”

Part of Speech: noun
Origin: Greek → Modern English
Example Sentence: The mitochondrion produces energy for the cell through respiration.
Note: Plural is mitochondria.

Question 10

What is the function of ribosomes? / Quelle est la fonction des ribosomes ?

Answer 10

Synthesize proteins for the cell. / Synthétisent les protéines pour la cellule.

Ribosome
ribo(nucleic acid) + soma
RNA + body
“RNA body”

Part of Speech: noun
Origin: Modern English (from Greek)
Example Sentence: The ribosomes assemble proteins by linking amino acids together.
Note: The -some ending comes from Greek soma, meaning “body.”

Question 11

What is the function of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)? / Quelle est la fonction du réticulum endoplasmique (RE) ?

Answer 11

Transports proteins and lipids; rough ER has ribosomes, smooth ER does not. / Transporte les protéines et les lipides ; le RE rugueux a des ribosomes, le RE lisse n’en a pas.

Endoplasmic Reticulum
endo + plasma + reticulum
within + molded substance + little net
“a little net within the molded substance”

Part of Speech: noun
Origin: Greek + Latin → Modern English
Example Sentence: The endoplasmic reticulum helps transport proteins and other materials inside the cell.
Note: The “rough” ER has ribosomes; the “smooth” ER does not.

Question 12

What is the function of the Golgi apparatus? / Quelle est la fonction de l’appareil de Golgi ?

Answer 12

Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for transport. / Modifie, trie et emballe les protéines et les lipides pour le transport.

Golgi Apparatus
(Golgi) + apparatus
named for Camillo Golgi + tool, equipment
“Golgi’s equipment”

Part of Speech: noun
Origin: Proper noun (Italian) + Latin
Example Sentence: The Golgi apparatus modifies, packages, and ships proteins in vesicles.
Note: Sometimes called the Golgi complex or Golgi body.

Question 13

What is the function of lysosomes? / Quelle est la fonction des lysosomes ?

Answer 13

Break down waste materials and cellular debris. / Dégradent les déchets et les débris cellulaires.

Lysosome
lysis + soma
loosening/breaking down + body
“breaking-down body”

Part of Speech: noun
Origin: Greek → Modern English
Example Sentence: The lysosome digests waste and old cell parts.
Note: The prefix lyso- means “to loosen” or “dissolve.”

Question 14

What is the function of chloroplasts? / Quelle est la fonction des chloroplastes ?

Answer 14

Site of photosynthesis in plant cells; converts sunlight into chemical energy. / Site de la photosynthèse dans les cellules végétales ; convertit la lumière en énergie chimique.

Chloroplast
chlōr(o) + plast(ós)
green + formed/molded
“green moulded body”

Part of Speech: noun
Origin: Greek → Latin → Modern English
Example Sentence: The chloroplast captures sunlight to make food through photosynthesis.
Note: The root -plast appears in words like cytoplasm and plastid.

Question 15

What is the function of the cell wall? / Quelle est la fonction de la paroi cellulaire ?

Answer 15

Provides structural support and protection to plant cells. / Fournit un support structurel et une protection aux cellules végétales.

Cell Wall
cell + wall
small room + barrier
“the barrier around the small room”

Part of Speech: noun
Origin: Latin + Old English
Example Sentence: The cell wall provides structure and protection for plant cells.
Note: Found mainly in plants, fungi, and bacteria, not in animal cells.

Question 16

What is a vesicle?

Answer 16

Vesicle
vesicula
small bladder or sac
“little container”

Part of Speech: noun
Origin: Latin → Modern English
Example Sentence: A vesicle transports materials within the cell.
Note: Diminutive of vesica, meaning “bladder.”

Question 17

What is a vacuole?

Answer 17

Vacuole
vacuus
empty
“empty space”

Part of Speech: noun
Origin: Latin → Modern English
Example Sentence: The vacuole stores water, nutrients, and waste inside the cell.
Note: Plant cells have one large vacuole; animal cells have many small ones.

Question 18

What is a centriole?

Answer 18

Centriole
centrum + -ole
centre + little
“little centre”

Part of Speech: noun
Origin: Latin → Modern English
Example Sentence: The centriole helps organize cell division in animal cells.
Note: The suffix -ole forms diminutives, showing something small.

Question 19

What is a cytoskeleton?

Answer 19

Cytoskeleton
kytos + skeletos
cell/hollow vessel + dried-up body
“the dried-up framework of the cell”

Part of Speech: noun
Origin: Greek → Modern English
Example Sentence: The cytoskeleton supports the cell’s shape and helps with movement.
Note: The same skeletos root gives us skeleton and skeletal.