| A | B |
|---|
| the transport of dissolved substances into cells to serve as building blocks or energy sources | absorption |
| the breakdown of food substances into smaller food molecules to obtain building materials or energy | digestion |
| the building of organic compounds from smaller units; necessary for cell growth or replacing worn out cell parts or for the secretion of substances specific to that type of cell | synthesis |
| the final breakdown of food molecules (usually glucose) in the presence of oxygen to release the energy; this occurrs in the mitochondria of a cell | respiration |
| movement of the cell itself | locomotion |
| the ability to respond to external factors; the reaction of a cell to its environment | irritability |
| the removal of soluable (liquid) wastes from the cell | excretion |
| the elimination of non-soluable (solid) wastes from a cell | egestion |
| the synthesis and release of certain substances from a cell, specific to the purpose of that type of cell | secretion |
| the cell's ability to remain in a "steady state" which is critical to staying alive | homeostasis |
| the formation of new cells | reproduction |
