Cell Basics
What is the smallest unit capable of performing the basic functions of life?
A cell
Which type of cell does not have a membrane-bound nucleus?
Prokaryotic cell
A cell contains chloroplasts. Is it a plant cell or an animal cell?
Plant cell
What structure protects the cell and controls what enters and exits?
Cell membrane
Which organelle is known as the powerhouse of the cell?
Mitochondria
Why are most cells impossible to see without a microscope?
They are microscopic.
Which type of cell is found in plants, animals, and fungi?
Eukaryotic cell
What rigid structure made of cellulose surrounds a plant cell?
Cell wall
What gel-like fluid fills the cell and holds the organelles in place?
Cytoplasm
Which structures build proteins by reading instructions from RNA?
Ribosomes
An object grows but is not made of cells. Should it be classified as living? Explain.
No. All living things are made of one or more cells.
A cell’s DNA floats freely in its cytoplasm. What type of cell is it?
Prokaryotic cell
A cell has a flexible membrane but does not have chloroplasts or a cell wall. What kind of cell is it?
Animal cell
What structure contains DNA and directs the cell’s activities?
Nucleus
Which organelles store water, nutrients, and waste?
Vacuoles
Put these in order from smallest to largest: organ, cell, organism, and tissue.
Cell, tissue, organ, organism
A cell has a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. What type of cell is it, and what evidence supports your answer?
It is eukaryotic because it has a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
A cell has a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large central vacuole. Identify the cell type and explain the job of one of these structures.
It is a plant cell. Chloroplasts perform photosynthesis, the vacuole stores materials, or the cell wall provides support.
What is one problem a cell could face if its cell membrane stopped controlling what entered and exited?
Harmful materials could enter, needed materials could leave, or nutrients and waste could become unbalanced.
A cell needs to build more proteins for growth and repair. Which organelle should become more active?
Ribosomes
Why would something that cannot perform basic life functions on its own not be considered a cell?
A cell must be able to perform basic life functions.
Compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells based on their size, complexity, and nucleus.
Prokaryotic cells are smaller and simpler and do not have a true nucleus. Eukaryotic cells are larger and more complex and have a true nucleus.
A student says, “Animal cells do not have an outer boundary.” Correct the student’s statement.
Animal cells do not have a cell wall, but they do have a flexible cell membrane.
Explain how the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus work together.
The membrane controls what enters and exits, the cytoplasm holds the organelles, and the nucleus directs the cell’s activities.
A cell cannot produce enough usable energy from nutrients. Which organelle is probably failing, and what process is affected?
The mitochondria are probably failing, which affects cellular respiration and ATP production.