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Study Guide ~ The Cell
1. What are the two main types of microscopes? What are some of the differences
between them?
Light and Electron microscopes. The differences between them include:
Light – living organisms can be viewed, standard 2D images
Electron – nonliving organisms can be viewed (as it requires a vacuum) and offers up to 1 mil
times magnification on the Transmission Electron microscope and the possibility of 3D images
on the Scanning Electron microscope.
2. What are the main differences between a Prokaryotic and a Eukaryotic cell?
Pro – has no nucleus; only contains ribosomes, cytoplasm, cell wall, DNA and motile structure
(i.e. flagella, cilia or pili)
Euk – has a nucleus housing its DNA, contains organized, membrane bound organelles, more
complex in structure, ability to be multicellular and differentiate.
3. What is the difference between a plant and an animal cell?
Plant cells have a cell wall, chloroplast and central vacuole while animal cells do not.
Animal cells have centrioles while plant cells do not.
4.
1.
2.
3.
What are the three parts of the Cell Theory?
The cell is the basic unit of structure and function in living things.
All living things are made up of cells.
Cells arise from pre-existing cells.
5. Who was the first scientist to observe the cell?
Hooke
6. Who are the three scientists who contributed to the Cell Theory?
Schleiden, Schwann, Virchow
a. What was their contribution?
Schleiden – all plants are made up of cells.
Schwann – all animals are made up of cells.
Virchow – all cells arise from pre-existing cells.
7. What are the similarities between a Prokaryotic and a Eukaryotic cell?
They are both living things. Both contain DNA, ribosomes, cytoplasm.
8. What is the function of the Ribosomes?
Ribosomes make proteins.
a. What are the two types mentioned in class?
Free – synthesize proteins for the cell.
Attached – synthesize proteins to be exported.
9. What is the function of the Nucleus?
The nucleus is the control center of the cell; it houses the DNA which is the set of
instructions for the cell, as well as, the nucleolus which is where ribosomes are made.
10. What is the function of the Cell Membrane?
The Cell Membrane serves as a boundary separating the cell itself from its external
environment. It is also selectively permeable and as such will only allow certain substances
into and out of the cell.
11. What is the function of the Cell Wall?
The Cell Wall, like the Cell Membrane, serves as a boundary separating the cell itself from
its external environment; however, the cell wall is a more rigid structure made up of various
polysaccharides.
12. What is the function of the Chloroplast?
The Chloroplast is the site of Photosynthesis in the cell and is therefore able to convert light
energy to chemical energy for use in autotrophic organisms (organisms that can make their
own food).
13. What is the function of the Endoplasmic Reticulum?
The ER is the transportation system of the cell; allowing proteins and lipids to get where
they need to go.
a. What are the two types? Smooth ER and Rough ER
b. What is their function? Smooth ER – synthesis of lipids and detoxification
14. What is the function of the Golgi Apparatus?
The Golgi’s job is to modify, package and ship substances it receives from the ER out of the
cell in vesicles.
15. What is the function of the Lysosome?
The Lysosome’s main role is to act as the cleanup crew for cells, removing wastes and toxins
that are building up. However, the Lysosomes are also used by the Immune System in some
defensive roles.
16. What is the function of the Vacuole?
The Vacuole serves as a storage facility for proteins, salts, carbohydrates and water.
a. How is it different in a plant?
The plant cell houses a large Central Vacuole as opposed to the many smaller
ones you would find in animal cells. It also adds a dimension of structure and
support for the plant cell.
17. What is the function of the Mitochondria?
POWERHOUSE OF THE CELL! The Mitochondria’s role is in the production of energy in the
form of ATP for cellular use.
a. Do plants have them? Yes.
18. Both prokaryotes (70S) and eukaryotes (80s) have ribosomes. What would happen to
the prokaryote if their ribosomes were not functioning?
The prokaryote would be unable to maintain and repair its cellular structures.
19. Viruses are currently considered non-living. Why?
Viruses are considered non-living at this time due to their inability to reproduce and
metabolize on their own without a host cell to do it for them.
20. Describe a Differentiated Cell.
A differentiated cell is a cell that has essentially been assigned a specific function or role
within the multicellular organism.
21. What is a Stem Cell?
A Stem Cell is a cell that has the potential to become a large number of possible
differentiated cells in an multicellular organism.
22. What are the three types of Stem Cells discussed in class. Briefly describe each.
1. Totipotent – can become all cells
2. Pluripotent – can become cells of the body NOT placenta and its support structures
3. Multipotent – adult stem cells that can give rise to a limited number of cells
23. Describe Spontaneous Generation.
The belief that organisms randomly appear.
24. Who debunked Spontaneous Generation?
Pasteur was the first to be vocal about his disbelief in this idea but Virchow was the one
who was able to definitively disprove it.
25. What organelles contain their own DNA?
The Nucleus, Chloroplast and Mitochondria all house their own DNA.