D.A.

V International School Ahmedabad

Science
Grade 9

Chapter-5 The Fundamental unit of life Answer key-2

I Answer the following:

1. This is the nucleus, the brain of the cell.

2. The nucleus has a double layered covering called nuclear membrane.

3. Undefined nuclear region containing only nucleic acids is called a nucleoid.

4. The chlorophyll in photosynthetic prokaryotic bacteria is associated with membranous

vesicles but not with plastids as in eukaryotic cells.

5. Viruses lack any membranes and hence do not show characteristics of life until they

enter a living body.

6. Chromosomes are composed of DNA and protein.

7. The full form of DNA is Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid.

8. The cytoplasm is the fluid content inside the plasma membrane.

9. RER looks rough under a microscope because it has particles called ribosomes attached to

its surface which are sites of protein synthesis.

10. The SER helps in the manufacture of fat molecules/lipids.

11. This process of building the cell membrane is known as membrane biogenesis.

12. Lysosomes are membrane-bound sacs filled with digestive enzymes.

13. ATP is known as the energy currency of the Cell used by the body for making new

chemical compounds and for mechanical work.

14. Chloroplasts also contain various yellow or orange pigments in addition to chlorophyll.

15. The central vacuole of some plant cells may occupy 50-90% of the cell volume.

16. The process of cell division by which most of the cells divide for growth is called mitosis.

17. The new cells in meiosis cell division only have half the number of chromosomes than that

of the mother cells.

18. Explain the structure and function of Golgi Apparatus.

Ans: It consists of a system of membrane-bound vesicles (flattened sacs) arranged

approximately parallel to each other in stacks called cisterns. These membranes often

have connections with the membranes of ER and therefore constitute another portion of

a complex cellular membrane system.

Its functions include the storage, modification and packaging of products in vesicles. The

material synthesized near the ER is packaged and dispatched to various targets inside

and outside the cell through the Golgi Apparatus. In some cases, complex sugars may

be made from simple sugars in the Golgi apparatus. The Golgi apparatus is also involved in

the formation of lysosomes.

19. Why are Lysosomes called the suicide bags of the cell?

Ans. During the disturbance in cellular metabolism, when the cell gets damaged,

lysosomes may burst and the enzymes digest their own cell. Therefore, lysosomes are

also known as the ‘suicide bags’ of a cell.

20. How does mitochondria produce energy for the cell?

Ans. The energy required for various chemical activities needed for life is released by

mitochondria in the form of ATP (Adenosine tri phopshate) molecules.

21. What is the function of Leucoplasts?

Ans. Leucoplasts are primarily organelles in which materials such as starch, oils and

protein granules are stored.

22. What does the vacuole of a plant cell store?

Ans. Many substances of importance in the life of the plant cell are stored in vacuoles.

These include amino acids, sugars, various organic acids and some proteins.

23. Why does cell division take place in a living organism?

Ans. New cells are formed in organisms in order to grow, to replace old, dead and injured

cells, and to form gametes required for reproduction.

24. What is Meiosis cell division?

Ans. Specific cells of reproductive organs or tissues in animals and plants divide to form

gametes, which after fertilisation give rise to offspring. They divide by a different

process called meiosis which involves two consecutive divisions.