Cell
This is the "control center" of the cell that contains the cell's genetic material.
Nucleus
Name one major structural difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Presence of a nucleus in eukaryotes (or membrane-bound organelles)
This organelle is responsible for producing ATP, often called the "powerhouse" of the cell.
Mitochondrion
What would happen to an animal cell placed in a hypotonic solution, and why?
It would swell and potentially burst due to water influx via osmosis.
This component forms a selective barrier around the cell, regulating what enters and exits.
Plasma membrane (or Cell membrane)
An engineer is designing drug delivery nanoparticles to enter cells. Which cellular process should they mimic to enable entry without triggering immune destruction?
Endocytosis (especially receptor-mediated endocytosis)
In eukaryotic cells, proteins synthesized by ribosomes attached to this organelle are often destined for secretion.
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)
A cell has abundant smooth ER and detoxification enzymes. Predict its likely function or location in the body.
Likely a liver cell; involved in detoxification and lipid synthesis.
Which organelle packages proteins into vesicles and modifies them for delivery?
Golgi apparatus (or Golgi body)
Design a cell model optimized for rapid signal transmission across long distances. Which cellular structures would be enhanced, and why?
Enhanced rough ER and Golgi (for protein synthesis), extended plasma membrane (for surface receptors), and cytoskeletal elements (for vesicle transport); resembling neuron structure.