Becker's The World of the Cell Chapter 1 Quiz

Questions and Answers

Robert Hooke coined the term cell when studying thin slices of cork. These were the first cells observed because .

"little rooms"; they were 100 nm in diameter, much larger than most plant cells

dead plant cells; the thick cell walls did not require high resolution or magnification to view (correct)

dead animal cells; they were immobile and did not need to be fixed before viewing

immune cells; they produce antibodies that embed in the cell membrane to make it visible

compartments; they were actually the result of multiple cells that had merged and died to form large compartments that were easy to view

The Latin phrase omnis cellula e cellula refers to a cellular principle. Which of the following statements is the best interpretation of this phrase?

All cells arise only from preexisting cells. (correct)

The cell is the basic unit of structure.

Organs are composed of tissues and cells.

Cells generally are found in clusters.

Tissues are composed of similar cells.

improved the original light microscope in the late 1600s, allowing the visualization of .

Rudolf Virchow; collagen and muscle cells

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek; sperm cells, bacteria, algae, and other protists (correct)

Robert Hooke; bacteria and viruses

Robert Brown; cell structures using fluorescent antibodies

Theodor Schwann; the internal structures of cells, such as ribosomes, nuclei, and Golgi bodies

Which organelle stores most of the DNA in plant and animal cells?

nucleus Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is false?

All cells have a membrane-bound nucleus. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true of a nanometer?

A nanometer is equivalent to 10 Angstroms (Å). Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is closest to a micrometer in size?

a typical prokaryotic cell Signup and view all the answers

Cell biology emerged from which of the following fields of biology?

biochemistry, cytology, and genetics Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is smallest?

protein Signup and view all the answers

Early microscopes did not allow clear visualization of cells because they were limited by

both magnification and resolution. Signup and view all the answers

You are working on a project that involves the direct observation of DNA molecules. The microscope that would give you the best information at this time would be the

transmission electron microscope. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cell Biology Overview

Robert Hooke introduced the term "cell" while examining cork, referring to dead plant cells with thick walls that were easy to observe.
The Latin phrase "omnis cellula e cellula" means that all cells originate from preexisting cells, emphasizing cell division as a fundamental biological principle.
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek enhanced the light microscope in the late 1600s, discovering sperm cells, bacteria, algae, and various protists.

Key Cellular Structures

The nucleus is the organelle that houses the majority of DNA in both plant and animal cells.
Not all cells have a membrane-bound nucleus; for example, prokaryotes lack this feature.
Cells exhibit a diverse range of sizes and shapes, underscoring their functional adaptability.

Measurement and Size in Cell Biology

A nanometer equals 10 Angstroms (Å), a unit commonly used in molecular biology.
A typical prokaryotic cell is roughly close to one micrometer in size, highlighting the scale of microbial life.
Ribosomes are smaller than viruses, proteins, mitochondria, and prokaryotes, marking them as crucial cellular components.

Microscopy and Visualizing Cells

Early microscopes faced challenges in visualization due to limitations in both magnification and resolution.
For observing DNA molecules closely, a transmission electron microscope is the most effective tool, offering high-resolution capabilities.

Fields Contributing to Cell Biology

Cell biology is an interdisciplinary field that emerged from biochemistry, cytology, and genetics, integrating various biological concepts.
Understanding the limit of resolution is key in microscopy; it defines the distance at which two distinct objects can be differentiated.

Important False Statements

All organisms consist of one or more cells, and all cells arise from preexisting cells, but it is false that all cells possess a membrane-bound nucleus.