Biology 103 – Cells Questions and Answers Already Passed

Biology 103 – Cells Questions and Answers Already Passed What is the fundamental building block of life, and why is it essential to living organisms? The cell is the smallest unit of life that can reproduce itself and maintain its structure and function, making it essential to living organisms. What are the key characteristics that enable cells to function effectively, and how do these characteristics contribute to the survival of an organism? Cells exhibit organization, acquire materials and energy, respond to stimuli, reproduce and develop through cell division, and adapt to their surroundings through various adaptations. These characteristics enable cells to function effectively, ensuring the survival and growth of an organism. Who were the pioneers in understanding the cell theory, and what were their significant contributions? The pioneers were Scottish botanist Robert Brown, Matthias Jakob Schleiden, Theodor Schwann, and Rudolf Virchow. They made significant contributions by describing the nucleus of cells, showing that all plants are composed of cells, demonstrating that all animals are composed of cells, and establishing that all cells arise from pre-existing living cells. What is the cell theory, and how does it explain the diversity of life on Earth? The cell theory proposes that all living organisms are composed of one or more cells, which are the basic units of life. This theory explains the diversity of life on Earth by suggesting that all organisms share a common ancestor and have evolved over time through the process of cell division and differentiation. What is a prokaryotic cell, and how does it differ from eukaryotic cells? A prokaryotic cell lacks a membrane-bound nucleus and can be divided into two domains: Bacteria and Archaea. Prokaryotic cells are simpler and smaller than eukaryotic cells. What are the main components of a prokaryotic cell envelope, and what are their functions? The main components are the plasma membrane, cell wall, and glycocalyx. The plasma membrane separates the cell interior from the outside environment, while the cell wall provides protection and shape to the organism. The glycocalyx is a layer of polysaccharides outside the cell wall that plays a role in interactions with other organisms. What are ribosomes in prokaryotic cells, and how do they differ from those in eukaryotic cells? Ribosomes in prokaryotic cells are responsible for protein synthesis, either attached to the endoplasmic reticulum or free in cytoplasm. They are smaller than ribosomes in eukaryotic cells. What is the nucleoid region in prokaryotic cells, and what is its function? The nucleoid region is a region within the cytoplasm where DNA is located in prokaryotic cells. What are the appendages found on prokaryotic cells? Flagella (singular = glagellum) long and thin, for propulsion/locomotion Fimbriae - small, bristle-like; attaches prokaryote to surfaces. Sex pili - (conjugation pili) rigid tubular structure What are thylakoids? prokaryotes (Contain