2.1 Animal and Plant Cells

Question 1

What are cells?

Answer 1

the smallest units from which all organisms are made

Question 2

Examples of some single celled organisms

Answer 2

Bacteria, Yeast

Question 3

What is a photomicrograph?

Answer 3

A photograph taken using a light microscope is called a
photomicrograph.

Question 4

What is an electron microscope?

Answer 4

An electron microscope
uses a beam of electrons instead of light and can
magnify things up to 500000 times.

Question 5

electron micrograph

Answer 5

an image made using an
electron microscope

Question 6

What is a cell membrane made of?

Answer 6

protein and fat

Question 7

cell membrane

Answer 7

a very thin layer surrounding the cytoplasm of every cell; it controls what enters and leaves the cell

Question 8

cell wall

Answer 8

a tough layer outside the cell
membrane; found in the cells of plants, fungi and bacteria

Question 9

What is the function of the cell membrane?

Answer 9

The cell membrane controls what enters and leaves the cell. It is selectively permeable, allowing some substances to pass through while blocking others.

Question 10

How permeable is a cell wall?

Answer 10

fully permeable

Question 11

What are cell walls made up of?

Answer 11

Cellulose

Question 12

How does cellulose help in protecting the cell?

Answer 12

Cellulose forms fibres which criss-cross over one another
to form a very strong covering to the cell. This
helps to protect and support the cell. If the cell absorbs a
lot of water and swells, the cell wall stops it bursting.

Question 13

How do large molecules go through the cell walls?

Answer 13

The cell walls is made of cellulose fibres that criss cross over one another. The molecules go through these fibres.

Question 14

cytoplasm

Answer 14

the jelly-like material that fills a cell

Question 15

What is the function of a cytoplasm?

Answer 15

It contains many substances
dissolved in it, especially proteins. Many different
metabolic reactions take place in the cytoplasm.

Question 16

What is a vacuole?

Answer 16

a fluid-filled space inside a cell, separated from the cytoplasm by a membrane

Question 17

Which organisms have vacuoles in their cells — animals or plants?

Answer 17

Both

Question 18

What are animal vacuoles called?

Answer 18

vesicles

Question 19

What are vesicles?

Answer 19

Vesicles are vacuoles in animal cells. They are small, temporary, and used for storage or transport.

Question 20

What is the role of the large permanent vacuole in plant cells?

Answer 20

The vacuole contains a solution of sugars and other substances called cell sap. When full, it presses outward on the rest of the cell, helping the cell maintain its shape.

Question 21

What does the permanent vacuole in plant cells contain?

Answer 21

It contains cell sap — a solution of sugars and other substances.

Question 22

How does a full vacuole help a plant cell?

Answer 22

It pushes outward on the cell wall, helping the cell keep its shape.

Question 23

What is nucleus and the function of the nucleus in a cell?

Answer 23

Nucleus is a structure containing DNA in the form
of chromosomes. It stores genetic information on chromosomes, which control the cell’s activities.

Question 24

What are chromosomes made of?

Answer 24

Chromosomes are made of DNA.

Question 25

What does the information on DNA determine?

Answer 25

It determines the kinds of proteins made in the cell.

Question 26

When can chromosomes be seen under a light microscope?

Answer 26

When the cell is dividing — the chromosomes become short and thick.

Question 27

Why are chromosomes hard to see in non-dividing cells?

Answer 27

Because they are very long and thin.

Question 28

What is a chromosome?

Answer 28

A length of DNA, found in the nucleus of a cell; it contains genetic information in the form of many different genes

Question 29

What is DNA?

Answer 29

a molecule that contains genetic information, in the form of genes, that controls the proteins that are made in the cell

Question 30

Are chloroplasts found in animal cells?

Answer 30

No, chloroplasts are only found in plant cells — specifically in the green parts of plants.

Question 31

What pigment do chloroplasts contain?

Answer 31

Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, a green pigment.

Question 32

What is the role of chlorophyll in chloroplasts?

Answer 32

Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight energy for photosynthesis.

Question 33

What is photosynthesis?

Answer 33

It's the process where plants use sunlight to make food.

Question 34

What substance is often stored in chloroplasts?

Answer 34

Starch grains, which are made during photosynthesis.

Question 35

Do animal cells ever contain starch grains?

Answer 35

No, only plant cells store starch grains in chloroplasts.

Question 36

Which cell structures can be seen with a light microscope?

Answer 36

Cell membrane, cell wall, cytoplasm, vacuoles, nucleus, and chloroplasts.

Question 37

Which cell structures require an electron microscope to be seen clearly?

Answer 37

Smaller structures like mitochondria.

Question 38

What are mitochondria?

Answer 38

Small structures found in almost all plant and animal cells. Mitochondria are the parts of the cell where aerobic respiration happens. This is how energy is released from glucose.

Question 39

Are mitochondria found in both plant and animal cells?

Answer 39

Yes, they are present in almost all of them.

Question 40

What is the singular form of mitochondria?

Answer 40

Mitochondrion.

Question 41

aerobic respiration

Answer 41

chemical reactions that take place in mitochondria, which use oxygen to break down glucose and other nutrient molecules to release energy for the cell to use

Question 42

ribosomes

Answer 42

very small structures in a cell that use information on DNA to make protein molecules

Question 43

Can ribosomes be seen with a light microscope?

Answer 43

No, they are so small they can only be seen with an electron microscope.

Question 44

Are ribosomes found in plant or animal cells?

Answer 44

Both

Question 45

What is the function of ribosomes?

Answer 45

Ribosomes are where proteins are made in the cell.

Question 46

How do ribosomes make proteins?

Answer 46

They use instructions from DNA to link amino acids in a specific sequence.

Question 47

What cell structures are common to both animal and plant cells?

Answer 47

Cell membrane Cytoplasm Nucleus Mitochondria Ribosomes

Question 48

Why do cells with high metabolism need more mitochondria?

Answer 48

Cells with high metabolism require more mitochondria to produce more energy (ATP) to meet their energy demands.

Question 49

What are the unique structures found in plant cells?

Answer 49

Cell wall Chloroplasts Central Permanent vacuole

Question 50

What is the function of the cell wall in plant cells?

Answer 50

The cell wall provides structural support and protection. It also helps maintain the cell's shape.

Question 51

What is the role of chloroplasts in plant cells?

Answer 51

Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and are the site of photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy.

Question 52

What is the function of the permanent vacuole in plant cells?

Answer 52

The permanent vacuole contains cell sap, which helps maintain turgor pressure, stores nutrients, and isolates waste products.