Work sheet 3 Group 1 A28

The Cell
Anatomy of the Composite Cell
1. Define the following:
Organelle: Living things are made of cells or biological units, also referred to as the building
blocks of life. Some organisms consist of just one cell, while others are made of trillions of
cells. Each one of these cells functions as a tiny factory, with individual parts that work
together to keep the cell alive and, in turn, keep the organism going. These parts are called
organelles.
Cell: A cell is the basic structural and functional unit of living things. All living things are made
up of at least one cell, but some are made up of trillions of cells. There are two general types
of cells: prokaryotic and eukaryotic. Both types contain cytoplasm enclosed by a cell
membrane.
2. Identify the following cell parts:
Plasma membrane 1. external boundary of cell; regulates flow of materials into and out of the
cell
Lysosomes 2. contains digestive enzymes of many varieties; can destroy the entire cell
Mitochondrion 3. scattered throughout the cell; major site of ATP synthesis
Microvilli 4. slender extensions of the plasma membrane that increase its surface area
Inclusions 5. stored glycogen granules, crystals, pigments
Golgi apparatus 6. membranous system consisting of flattened sacs and vesicles; packages
proteins for export
Nucleus 7. control center of the cell; necessary for cell division and cell life
Centrioles 8. two rod-shaped bodies near the nucleus; the basis of cilia
Nucleolus 9. dense, darkly staining nuclear body; packaging site for ribosomes
Microfilaments 10. contractile elements of the cytoskeleton
Endoplasmic reticulum 11. membranous system that has “rough” and “smooth” varieties
Ribosomes 12. attached to membrane systems or scattered in the cytoplasm; synthesize
proteins
 Chromatin 13. threadlike structures in the nucleus; contain genetic material (DNA)
Peroxisome 14. site of detoxification of alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and harmful chemicals

3. In the following diagram, label all parts provided with a leader line.
Chromatin Nuclear envelope
Nucleolus Nucleus
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum Plasma
membrane
Cytosol

Lysosome
Rough
Mitochondrion endoplasmic
reticulum
Centrioles
Ribosomes

Golgi apparatus

Secretion (released from cell by exocytosis)

Microtubule
Peroxisome
Intermediate Filaments

4. For each of the following cell types, on line (a) list one important structural characteristic observed
in the laboratory. On line (b), write the function that the structure complements or ensures.

Squamous epithelium
a. The simple squamous epithelium is a type of epithelium that contains large, flat, and thin cells.
When observed in the laboratory, cells are seen wider than height. They also have a flattened and
round nucleus.
b. Rapid passage of chemical compounds is occurring because of the thinness of the cells such as the
lining of capillaries and the small air sacs of the lung. There is easy diffusion of molecules crossing it.
Sperm
a. The structural characteristics of sperm is that it's a small cell that has a headpiece with the nucleus,
a middle piece, and a tail.
b. Sperm usually consist of two morphologically and functionally distinct regions enclosed by a single
plasma membrane: the tail, which propels the sperm to the egg and helps it to burrow through the
egg coat, and the head, which contains a condensed haploid nucleus.

Smooth muscle
a. Smooth muscle cells are spindle shaped, have a single, centrally located nucleus, and lack
striations.
b. Smooth muscle is a type of muscle tissue which is used by various systems to apply pressure to
vessels and organs.

Red blood cells

a. Red blood cells (RBC) are microscopic and have the shape of a flat disk or doughnut, which is round
with an indentation in the center, but it isn't hollow.
b. RBC’s get their bright red color from a protein that allows them to carry oxygen from your lungs
and deliver it to other tissues in your body (hemoglobin).

5. What is the significance of the red blood cell being anucleate (without a nucleus)?
Anucleated red blood cells metabolize anaerobically (without oxygen), making use of a primitive
metabolic pathway to produce Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) and enables the red blood cell to
contain more oxygen-carrying hemoglobin, thus enabling more oxygen to be transported in the
blood and boosting our metabolism.

Cell Division: Mitosis and Cytokinesis

6. What is the importance of mitotic cell division?
Mitosis helps in preserving and maintaining the genetic stability of a particular population, and
aids in the splitting of chromosomes during cell division and generates two new daughter cells;
chromosomes form from the parent chromosomes by copying the exact DNA. It is also used in
the production of genetically similar offspring, such as the budding of hydra and yeast, and
binary fission in amoeba. This process also plays a significant role in the growth of a living
 organism by increasing the number of cells, producing identical copies of it. In addition, mitosis
helps in repairing the damaged tissue or replacing the worn-out cells. However, the degree of
regeneration and replacement in multicellular organisms vary from one another.

7. Identify the three phases of mitosis shown in the following photomicrographs and select the events
from the key choices that correctly identify each phase. Write the key letters on the appropriate answer
line.

Key:
a. Chromatin coils and condenses, forming chromosomes.
b. The chromosomes (chromatids) are V-shaped.
c. The nuclear envelope re-forms.
d. Chromosomes stop moving toward the poles.
e. Chromosomes line up in the center of the cell.
f. The nuclear envelope fragments.
g. The spindle forms.
h. DNA synthesis occurs.
i. Chromosomes first appear to be double.
j. Chromosomes attach to the spindle fibers.
k. The nuclear envelope(s) is absent.

1. Phase: Metaphase 2. Phase: Anaphase 3. Phase: Prophase

Events: E and K Events: B and D Events: A F G I J K