Cell Theory
This is the instrument that scientists used to look at cells.
What is...A Microscope?
A green plant absorbs sunlight to make glucose, while a caterpillar eats leaves to fuel its movement. What common characteristic of life do both organisms demonstrate?
What is...Obtaining and using energy?
What is the difference between unicellular organisms and multicellular organisms?
Unicellular - One cell
Multicellular - More than one cell
Which organelle is present in plant cells to perform photosynthesis, but is completely absent in animal cells?
What is...the Chloroplast?
What main function does the gel-like cytoplasm serve inside both plant and animal cells?
What is...Suspends organelles and allows materials to move.
A forest fire consumes oxygen, uses fuel to release energy, grows larger, and spreads to make new fires. According to the cell theory, why is fire classified as non-living?
What is...It does not contain any cells?
Over several weeks, a frog egg hatches into a swimming tadpole with gills, which later grows legs and lungs to become an adult frog. Which characteristic of life is best illustrated by these structural changes?
What is...Growth and Development?
Process of cells dividing to form two genetically identical cells.
What is...Mitosis?
Ribosomes are essential structures found in both plant and animal cells. What is the primary function of ribosomes?
What is...Making Proteins?
This organelle only allows certain substances enter and exit the cell while blocking others.
What is...Cell Membrane?
These are the three foundational principles in biology stating that all living things are composed of cells, which serve as the basic units of structure and function.
What is...the Cell Theory?
When a human exercises on a hot summer day, their body produces sweat to cool down and keep their internal body temperature around 98.6 degrees F. Which life characteristic does this mechanism represent?
What is...Homeostasis?
A student uses a microscope to observe a mystery cell. She notes that the cell's genetic material (DNA) floats freely in the cytoplasm without a surrounding membrane envelope. How should this cell be classified?
What is...Prokaryote or Prokaryotic Cell?
Both plant cells and animal cells need energy to perform cellular functions. Which organelle converts food molecules into usable cellular energy in BOTH cell types?
What is...the Mitochondrion?
Which organelle acts like a cellular packaging and shipping center, modifying proteins and sorting them to be sent around or outside the cell?
What is...the Golgi Apparatus?
Scientists long ago incorrectly believed that mold could randomly appear on bread out of non-living air and dust. Which fundamental rule of cell theory disproves this belief?
What is...All cells come from pre-existing cells?
A sunflower turns its flower head to face the sun as it moves across the sky during the day. Which characteristic of living things is best demonstrated by this action?
What is...Response to Stimuli?
Under a light microscope at equal magnification, a student observes that human cheek cells are noticeably larger and contain distinct internal structures, while bacterial cells appear as tiny dots with no visible internal parts. How would the cheek cells be classified?
What is...Eukaryote or Eukaryotic Cell.
How do the vacuoles in a plant cell typically differ from the vacuoles in an animal cell?
What is...Plant cells have one large vacuole and animal cells have several smaller vacuoles?
Animal cells contain specialized sac-like organelles called lysosomes. What is the primary role of lysosomes in animal cells?
What is...Breaking down old cell parts and waste?
A student suggests that a mitochondrion inside a cell is an independent living organism. According to cell theory, why is a mitochondrion NOT considered an individual organism?
What is...The cell is the smallest unit of life, organelles cannot survive on their own?
In animals, groups of specialized muscle cells work together to form muscle tissue. Which charateristic of life does this illustrate?
What is...Organization?
Although prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have many structural differences, they share several essential cell components. Which is present in BOTH prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
What is...Genetic Material?
A student creates an analogy comparing a cell to a bustling city. Which organelle best represents City Hall or the Government?
What is...the Nucleus?
The cell has two types of endoplasmic reticulum, smooth ER and Rough. What are their functions?
Smooth ER - Helps remove harmful substances from the cell.
Rough ER - Produces proteins