Characteristics of Living Things
What is one of the six characteristics that define living things?
Growth, reproduction, response to the environment, energy use, cellular structure, and adaptation.
Who were the scientists that developed the Cell Theory?
Matthias Schleiden, Theodor Schwann, and Rudolf Virchow.
What is the main function of the nucleus?
It controls cell activities and contains the cell's DNA
What is a unicellular organism?
An organism made of a single cell.
What is osmosis?
The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration.
How do living things respond to their environment?
By reacting to stimuli (e.g., plants growing towards light, animals reacting to danger).
What are the three main points of the Cell Theory?
1) All living things are made of cells, 2) Cells are the basic unit of life, and 3) All cells come from pre-existing cells.
Which organelle is responsible for photosynthesis?
The chloroplast
What does multicellular mean?
An organism made of multiple cells.
How does diffusion differ from osmosis?
Diffusion is the movement of molecules from high to low concentration, not necessarily involving water or a membrane.
What characteristic allows living things to produce offspring?
Reproduction
How did the invention of the microscope help in developing Cell Theory?
It allowed scientists to observe cells directly, leading to the discovery that all living things are made of cells.
What does the cell membrane do?
It regulates what enters and exits the cell, acting as a barrier.
Name an example of a unicellular organism.
Bacteria, amoeba, or paramecium.
What is reverse osmosis, and where is it commonly used?
A process where water is forced through a membrane to remove impurities, commonly used in water purification.
Which characteristic involves organisms taking in energy?
Metabolism or energy use.
According to Cell Theory, where do new cells come from?
From pre-existing cells through cell division.
Which organelle is often called the "powerhouse" of the cell?
The mitochondria.
Name a benefit of being multicellular.
Specialization of cells for different functions, leading to more complex structures and functions.
How does osmosis benefit plants?
It allows plants to absorb water through their roots, helping them stay hydrated and maintain structure.
What characteristic describes the cellular structure of living things?
All living things are made of one or more cells.
How does the Cell Theory contribute to our understanding of diseases?
It helps scientists understand that diseases can result from the malfunctioning of cells, guiding research in cell biology to develop treatments and cures.
What is the purpose of vacuoles in a cell?
To store nutrients, waste products, and other materials; in plant cells, they also help maintain structure.
Describe a difference between cell specialization in unicellular and multicellular organisms.
Unicellular organisms perform all functions within one cell, while multicellular organisms have specialized cells for different tasks.
Describe a real-life example of diffusion.
The spread of perfume scent in a room or the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs.