CSC 224: Types of Cells

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Questions and Answers

What is the basic unit of life?

Cell

Which statement is true about the cell theory?

Every living organism is made of two cells.

All cells arise from preexisting cells. (correct)

Cells do not contain genetic information.

Cells cannot perform life functions.

Viruses are exceptions to the cell theory.

True

Cells contain cytoplasm, which is the location of ______ activity.

metabolic Signup and view all the answers

Match the scientist with their contribution to cell theory:

Anton van Leeuwenhoek = First to see living cells Robert Hooke = Coined the term 'cell' Mathias Schleiden = Stated all plants are made of cells Theodor Schwann = Concluded all animals are made of cells Signup and view all the answers

Who contributed to the discovery of the cell and what are their discoveries?

Scientists like Robert Hooke, Anton van Leeuwenhoek, Matthias Schleiden, and Theodor Schwann contributed to the discovery of the cell. Robert Hooke discovered cells in cork, Leeuwenhoek observed microorganisms, Schleiden concluded that plants are composed of cells, and Schwann concluded that animals are composed of cells. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the relationship between cell shape and cell function.

The shape of a cell is closely related to its function. Different cell shapes are adapted to perform specific functions. For example, red blood cells are disc-shaped to increase their surface area for oxygen exchange. Signup and view all the answers

Briefly discuss the factors that limit cell size.

Factors limiting cell size include the surface area to volume ratio, the ability to exchange materials, and the need to maintain a balance between cell size and metabolic requirements. Signup and view all the answers

Compare and contrast prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells.

Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and various organelles. Prokaryotes are usually smaller and simpler, whereas eukaryotes are larger and more complex. Signup and view all the answers

Give at least five examples of unicellular and multicellular organisms and briefly describe them.

Examples of unicellular organisms include bacteria, amoeba, and yeast. Multicellular organisms include humans, plants, and animals. Each type of organism has different characteristics and structures. Signup and view all the answers

With the aid of a diagram, describe the functions of each organelle in a typical plant or animal cell.

Organelles in a plant cell include the nucleus, chloroplasts, cell wall, and vacuole. In an animal cell, organelles like the nucleus, mitochondria, and lysosomes play crucial roles. Each organelle has specific functions within the cell. Signup and view all the answers

In a tabular form, give the differences between plant cell and animal cell.

Plant cells have a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large central vacuole, while animal cells lack these structures. Animal cells have centrioles which are absent in plant cells. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Computational Biology

Cell Basics

The cell is the basic unit of life
All living organisms are made up of one or more cells
Cells carry out all processes of life

Cell Theory

Every living organism is made up of one or more cells
The cell is the basic unit of structure and function
All cells arise from preexisting cells

Exceptions to Cell Theory

Viruses lack protoplasm and are an exception to the cell theory
Bacteria and cyanobacteria lack a well-organized nucleus
Some protozoans are acellular
Coenocytic hyphae of some fungi have undivided mass of protoplasm
Red Blood Corpuscles (RBC) and mature sieve tubes are without nuclei

Basic Features of All Cells

Plasma membrane encloses the cell and mediates interactions between the cell and its environment
Cells contain cytoplasm, which is the location of metabolic activity
Genetic information is contained in DNA
Cells obtain energy and nutrients from the environment
Cell function limits cell size due to diffusion and surface area to volume ratio

Cell Production

Every cell is produced by the division of a preexisting cell
Genetic material is passed down from one cell to another during the reproduction process

Cell Discovery

The cell theory grew out of the work of many scientists and improvements in the microscope
Many scientists contributed to the cell theory, including Anton van Leeuwenhoek, Robert Hooke, Mathias Schleiden, Theodor Schwann, and Rudolf Virchow
Microscope development, including light and electron microscopes, has enabled the discovery of cells

Cell Diversity

There are about 200 different types of cells
Cells come in a variety of shapes and sizes
Cellular diversity permits the organization of cells into more complex tissues and organs
Cell shape reflects its function
Cell size is limited by a cell's surface area to volume ratio

Cell Differentiation

Differentiation is the process during development where newly formed cells become more specialized and distinct from one another as they mature
All cells of an organism share an identical genome, but different genes are activated in different cells to cause differentiation
Single-celled organisms are made up of one cell that carries out all functions
Multicellular organisms are made up of many cells that often specialize according to function

Types of Cells

Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and have naked DNA in the cytoplasm, with only ribosomes
Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and organelles
Examples of prokaryotic cells include bacteria, blue-green algae, and amoeba
Examples of eukaryotic cells include animals, plants, fungi, and protists

Plant and Animal Cells

Plant cells have a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large vacuole
Animal cells lack a cell wall, have lysosomes, and a small vacuole

Organelles

Organelles are structures within a cell that have a specific function
Examples of organelles include the nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, and lysosomes