STUDENT ID: 0560

Coursework_ Cell biology and Microorganisms

1. A certain bacterial strain grows at a rate of 0.01155 min-1. How long will it take for this
population to double? [2]
Answer: The formula which help us to calculate the population growth is equal to 𝑁 =
𝑁0 𝑒 𝑟𝑡 . N shows the number of bacteria which is grown at the fixed time, N0 is the initial
amount of bacteria, r is the rate of growth and t is the fixed time for increasing of
population. According to the condition N=2N0, so we can find the time for doubling of
population which happens in log phase (r=0.01155 min-1):
2𝑁0 = 𝑁0 𝑒 0.01155𝑡
𝑒 0.01155𝑡 = 2
𝑙𝑛2
𝑡= ≈ 60 𝑚𝑖𝑛
0.01155
2. Steam sterilization method is applied to decontaminate a bioreactor. If the bioreactor
operates at 90°C for 25 min, the death rate of a certain type of microorganisms is 0.24
min-1. Assuming that the acceptable level of contamination is 0.01 microorganisms per
mL, and the maximum initial number of these microorganisms is 36.06 mL-1, estimate
and explain whether the sterilization process will be successful? [4]
𝑁 = 𝑁0 𝑒 𝑟𝑡
𝑁 = 36.06 ∗ 𝑒 −0.24∗25 = 0.089 𝑚/𝑙
0.089 > 0.01

Sterilization process is not successful.

3. For a particular species of bacteria the doubling time is 20 mins. Calculate the growth
rate and how many of these bacteria would be present after 12 hours if the initial
population was 6 cfu/mL in a 10 mL sample? [4]
Answer: Firstly, it is needed to calculate the growth rate, so we can compute it with the
help of formula which is illustrated below:
𝑁 = 𝑁0 𝑒 𝑟𝑡
2𝑁0
𝑒 20𝑟 =
𝑁0
𝑙𝑛2
𝑟= = 0.0347
20
6 cfu/ml means that in 1 ml we have 6 cfu, so in 10 ml it will be 60 cfu.
This estimation gives us a chance to calculate the population of bacteria after 12 hours.
𝑁 = 60 ∗ 𝑒 720∗0.037 = 4.25 ∗ 1012
4. State the main components of plant, animal and fungi cells which distinguish them.
 Main components Types of cells
Plant Animal Fungi
Cell wall + - +
Cell membrane + + +
Nucleus + + -
Golgi complex + + -
Cytoplasm + + +
Mitochondria + + +
Centrioles - + -
Endoplasmic Reticulum + + +
Vacuoles + + +
Plastids + - -
Ribosomes + + +
As we from the table fungi cell has many differences like lacking of nucleus, Golgi complex
and plastids. In animal cell the lacking of cell wall and plastids are noticeable, while in
plant cell the lacking of centrioles shows the difference and distinguish it from other types
of cells.
5. What are the differences in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells?
Differences
Eukaryotic cell Prokaryotic cell
nucleus No nucleus
Chromosomes plasmids
multicellular unicellular
Mitochondria No mitochondria
Golgi complex No Golgi complex

6. In what of meiosis phases the number of chromosomes of a cell is equal to number of

chromosomes of a somatic cell of an individual? [2]
In anaphase II and telophase II the number of chromosomes are equal to the number of
chromatids (meiosis II).
7. State 7 main differences of mitosis and meiosis. [7]
1. Cell division- in mitosis somatic cell divides once and the division of cytoplasm
occurs at the end of telophase. However, in meiosis reproductive cell divides 2
times, the division of cytoplasm occurs at the end of telophase I and II.
2. Cell number of daughter- in mitosis 2 daughter are produced and each diploid
contains the same number of chromosomes. In meiosis 4 daughters are created
and each haploid contains the one half the number of chromosomes.
3. Genetic Composition- in mitosis the created daughters are genetically identical
while in meiosis daughters carries different features. Moreover, it meiosis genetic
recombination occurs and in mitosis it is not observed.
4. Length of Prophase- Chromatin creates discrete chromosomes and spindle fibers
arrange opposite poles of cell in mitosis. In meiosis prophase I contains 5 stages
and lasts longer than prophase which is the stage of mitosis.
5. Tetrad Formation- in mitosis there is no tetrad formation. Homologous
chromosomes creates together tetrad in prophase in meiosis. Tetrad contains our
chromatids.
6. Chromosome Alignment in Metaphase- Sister Chromatids align at the metaphase
plate in mitosis. In meiosis tetrads align at metaphase.
7. Chromosome Separation- In anaphase (mitosis) the separation of sister
chromatids are observed, while in the anaphase I (meiosis) it is not observed

8. Explain the following terms in 1-3 sentences: [8]

a. Golgi complex
b. Ribosome
c. Mitochondria
d. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
e. Tonoplast
f. Plasmodesma
g. Chloroplast
h. Chromatin
i. Cytokinesis
j. Pathogene

a. Golgi complex- is an organelle which is founded in eukaryotic cell. It is created

from membrane –bound sacs which are called cisternae.
b. Ribosome- the main function of it is the synthesis protein in the cell. It is
attached as free particle to endoplasmic reticulum in both eukaryotic and
prokaryotic cells.
c. Mitochondria- it is double membrane-bound organelle which is observed in
eukaryotic cells. It is responsible for breaking down of carbohydrates and
creating new energy.
d. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum- it creates flattened sacs inside of cytoplasm
and has an important role in transport, synthesis and modification of proteins.
e. Tonoplast- is the boundary (cytoplasm membrane) for the separation of
vacuole from cytoplasm.
f. Plasmodesma- microscopic canals which allow us to pass through plant cell
and make a connection between adjacent cells. It is formed during the cell
division.
g. Chloroplast- little organelles which are observed in the cell of plant and algae.
The main role of chloroplast is to absorb light in order to create sugar for
photosynthesis.
h. Chromatin-genetic material which contains DNA and proteins and during the
cell division of eukaryotic cells, they are converted to chromosomes. It is
located in the nucleus of cell.
i. Cytokinesis- this is the one of the stages of cell division which is detected the
division of cytoplasm into two daughter.
j. Pathogene- it is an ancient germ which can cause disease or illness.