Topic 1

Question 1

3 principles of cell theory

Answer 1

1. all living cells are composed of cells (or cell products)
2. the cell is the smallest unit of life
3. new cells only arise from pre-existing cells

Question 2

Name 3 atypical examples that deviate from the standard notion of what composes a cell

Answer 2

striated muscle fibers; aseptate fungal hyphae; giant algae

Question 3

What makes striated muscle fibers atypical, and what notion does it challenge?

Answer 3

Striated muscle fibers are long multi-nucleated fibers surrounded by a continuous plasma membrane, challenges the notion that cells always function as compartmentalized autonomous units

Question 4

What makes aseptate fungal hyphae atypical, and what notion does it challenge?

Answer 4

Aseptate fungal hyphae are not partitioned by septa (asepta = without septa), and challenge the notion that living structures are always composed of discrete cells

Question 5

What makes giant algae atypical, and what notion does it challenge?

Answer 5

Giant algae are unicellular organisms that can grow to exceptionally large sizes, up to 7 cm in height. This challenges the idea that larger organisms are always multicellular and is an exception to the SA:volu principle.

Question 6

Unicellular organisms are…

Answer 6

Unicellular organisms are the smallest organisms capable of independent life.

Question 7

What are the 7 basic functions of life?

Answer 7

Metabolism
Reproduction
Sensitivity
Homeostasis
Excretion
Nutrition
Growth

Question 8

Describe Metabolism

Answer 8

Metabolism = the vital chemical processes that occur in living organisms to sustain life.

Question 9

All living things _________, either _____ or ________.

Answer 9

All living things reproduce, either sexually or asexually.

Question 10

Describe Sensitivity

Answer 10

Sensitivity: all living things are responsive to internal and external stimuli.

Question 11

Describe Excretion

Answer 11

Excretion: All living things produce and excrete waste.

Question 12

Describe Growth

Answer 12

Growth: all living things can move and change shape or size over time.

Question 13

Describe Homeostasis

Answer 13

Homeostasis: all living things have processes to maintain a stable internal environment.

Question 14

Name 1 heterotrophic and 1 autotrophic unicellular organism

Answer 14

Paramecium (heterotroph)

Scenedesmus (autotroph)

Question 15

What do you call the process by which Paramecium engulf food particles?

Answer 15

Endocytosis.

Question 16

Describe how Paramecium maintain homeostasis.

Answer 16

Paramecium maintain homeostasis via the exchange of gases through their cellular membrane (02 in, C02 out)

Question 17

Describe how Paramecium reproduce.

Answer 17

Paramecium reproduce by dividing asexually.

Question 18

Describe how Paramecium excrete waste.

Answer 18

Paramecium excrete solid waste through an anal pore and pump out liquid waste via contractile vacuole.

Question 19

The rate of metabolism of a cell depends on its mass and _____.

Answer 19

The rate of metabolism of a cell depends on its mass and volume.

Question 20

The rate of material exchange is a function of the cell’s

Answer 20

surface area relative to its volume

Question 21

Larger surface area indicates (faster/slower)_______ material exchange/diffusion.

Answer 21

Larger SA indicates faster material exchange/diffusion,

Question 22

As a cell gets (bigger/smaller)_____, the SA:vol ratio (increases/decreases) __________

Answer 22

As a cell gets bigger, the SA:vol ratio decreases.

Question 23

Why can’t a cell grow too large?

Answer 23

If a cell grows too large, it will not have sufficient SA to support the rate of diffusion required for the increased volume. If the SA:vol ratio is too low, the cell will have to divide or die.

Question 24

Describe two ways a growing cell might become more efficient.

Answer 24

1. divide into smaller cells

2. evolution of organelles that perform specific tasks

Question 25

Evolution of organelles leads to a more sophisticated cell, called what?

Answer 25

Evolution of organelles leads to a more sophisticated cell called an eukaryotic cell.

Question 26

How to calculate magnification of an image/picture?

Answer 26

Magnification = size measured by ruler / actual size according to scale bar

Question 27

5 cm = ______ mm = _____ um?

Answer 27

5 cm = 50 mm = 50,000 um

Question 28

300,000 um = _______ mm = _______ um?

Answer 28

300,000 um = 300 mm = 30 cm

Question 29

How to calculate magnification of an image/picture?

Answer 29

Magnification = image size as measured by ruler (convert to um) / magnification (no unit conversion necessary)