Intro to the Cell and their Organelles

Question 1

What is an Atom?

Answer 1

The tiniest part of an element that has all of the properties of the element

Question 2

What is an Cell?

Answer 2

The basic structural and functional, microscopic part of all living things.

Question 3

What is an Organelle?

Answer 3

Specialized structures within the cell that perform particular functions (ex. nucleus).

Question 4

What is a Tissue?

Answer 4

A group of cells that work together to perform a specialized task.

Question 5

What is an Organ?

Answer 5

A structure composed of different tissues specialized to carry out a specific function.

Question 6

What is an Organ System?

Answer 6

A group of organs that have related functions.

Question 7

What is an Organsism?

Answer 7

A single living thing.

Question 8

What is a Population?

Answer 8

A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular geographic area at the same time.

Question 9

What is a Community?

Answer 9

Population of all species living in a particular area at a particular time.

Question 10

What is a Community?

Answer 10

A community of different species interacting with one another and with the abiotic environment.

Question 11

What is the Biosphere?

Answer 11

The part of the Earth is inhabited by plants and animals (all communities of living things on Earth)

Question 12

What are the three main points of Cell Theory?

Answer 12

All organisms are composed of cells.
Cells are the basic unit of life.
Cells derive from preexisting cells that have multiplied.

Question 13

What are the three main points of Modern Cell Theory?

Answer 13

DNA is passed between cells during cell mutation.
The cells of organisms within a similar species are the same, both structurally and chemically.
Energy flows within cells.

Question 14

What is a Prokaryotic Cell and what are its characteristics?

Answer 14

A prokaryotic cell is a simple, single-celled (unicellular) organism that lacks a nucleus, or any other membrane-bound organelle. We will shortly come to see that this is significantly different in eukaryotes. Prokaryotic DNA is found in the central part of the cell: a darkened region called the nucleoid. Prokaryotic cells are at 0.1–5.0 µm in diameter, these cells are significantly smaller than eukaryotic cells.

Question 15

What is an Eukaryotic Cell and what are its characteristics?

Answer 15

A eukaryotic cell is a cell that has a membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-bound compartments or sacs, called organelles, which have specialized functions. The word eukaryotic means “true kernel” or “true nucleus,” alluding to the presence of the membrane-bound nucleus in these cells. The word “organelle” means “little organ,” and, as we learned earlier, organelles have specialized cellular functions, just as the organs of your body have specialized functions. Eukaryotic cells have diameters ranging from 10–100 µm.

Question 16

Compare and Contrast Prokaryotic Cells and Eukaryotic Cells.

Answer 16

Prokaryotic Cell has no nucleus, and DNA arrangement is found in the central part of the cell.
Size (diameter): 0.1–5.0 µm in diameter
Always Unicellular.
Eukaryotic Cell has a Membrane-bound nucleus where DNA is surrounded by this membrane.
Size (diameter): 10–100 µm
Can be unicellular or multicellular.

Question 17

What is the Cytoplasm and what are their functions?

Answer 17

Provides the shape of the cell, enabling the organelles to remain in place and in position. Jelly-like fluid.

Question 18

What is the Cell membrane and what are their functions?

Answer 18

Lipid bilayer that is semipermeable and surrounds the cells.

Question 19

What are the Nucleus and what are their functions?

Answer 19

The repository of genetic information and is the cell’s control center: houses DNA and RNA information.

Question 20

What is the Nuclear membrane and what are their functions?

Answer 20

Separates the contents of the nucleus from the cytoplasm.

Question 21

What is the Mitochondria and what are their functions?

Answer 21

The powerhouse of the cell: generates the energy (ATP) by converting food, which is necessary to power the cell.

Question 22

What is the Endoplasmic reticulum and what are their functions?

Answer 22

Producing cellular products (hormones, proteins, and lipids) for the rest of the cell to function. Then responsible for transporting the products throughout the cell.

Question 23

What are the Golgi bodies and what are their functions?

Answer 23

Process and package proteins and lipid molecules, these proteins are destined to be exported from the cell.
Packing materials and sending them throughout the cell.

Question 24

What are the Vacuoles and what are their functions?

Answer 24

Store food, waste, and water for the cell; regulating storage and house transport of substances.

Question 25

What is the Cell wall and what are its functions?

Answer 25

Gives the cell a definite shape and structure, providing support. Separates the interior of the cell from the outer environment.

Question 26

What is Chloroplasts and what are their functions?

Answer 26

Produces energy through photosynthesis and oxygen release processes, which sustain plant growth.

Question 27

What are the Ribosomes and what are their functions?

Answer 27

Production of protein in the cell.

Question 28

What are the Lysosomes and what are their functions?

Answer 28

Digestive system of the cell, serving to degrade material taken up from outside of the cell and digest obsolete components of the cell itself.
Only in animal cells and assists waste disposal.

Question 29

Differentiate between plant and animal cells.

Answer 29

i) Chloroplasts are found only in plant cells
ii) Lysosomes are found only in animal cells
iii) Animal cells do not have cell walls whereas plant cells do.