Cells 10 Quick Questions
1. Cells are the simplest_ unit of life. Organisms can be single celled like bacteria__or
multicellular and complex like mammals.
2. Two main types of cells exist prokaryotes__ like bacteria and eukaryote like fungi,
plants__ and animal.
3. Prokaryotes are single celled organisms with no real nucleus___ (cellular brain) or
other complex organelles within a cell. Organelles include cell wall__, plasma
membrane__, flagella__, ribosomes and a nucleoid.
4. The cell_ wall__ (plants only) supports and protects the inside of a cell. The
plasma__ membrane allows oxygen, nutrients__ (in) and waste (out) of the cell. The
ribosomes___ help to make proteins and the nucleus contains DNA for cell
information and control. Flagella help cells move. These organelles all work together
in both plant and animal cells and also fungi_.
5. Eukaryotes_ are therefore more complex cells and have a definite nucleus__ (cell
information center or “brain”). The DNA is contained within the nucleus. Plant cells
also have a very powerful “engine” called the mitochondria__ which makes energy
from food to run the cell. The Golgi apparatus_ processes proteins and stores them.
The Endoplasmic_ reticulum__ is known as the “intracell highway” functioning
between cells. Vacuoles are for storing water and food__.
6. Plant and animal cells have differences for example plant cells have a cell__ wall_ for
support and animal cells do not. Plant cells have a very large vacuole___ for storing
water, animal cells only have a small one. Plant cells have chloroplasts__ to trap sun
light during photosynthesis__ (making food).
7. The size of cells and organelles vary greatly for example a bacteria cells or
mitochondria is 1 micrometer 1 x 10-6 m. Plant and animal cells are between 10 and
100 micrometers. A micrometer is _x1000_ smaller than a millimeter, at 1 x 10-3
units mm.
8. Chlorophyll and chloroplasts (green in color) have are around 5 micrometers long
and are spread out around a plant cell. Plant roots do not have them as they are not
exposed to sunlight__ Plants have cytoplasm (liquid gel) that strengthen the cells and
help with chemical reactions. The mitochondria help with anaerobic cell respiration
and are very important organelles_.
9. Cell membranes also in plants and animals protect the cell and allow important
nutrients__ into the cell and remove potentially harmful waste_.
10. What about algae? Is it a plant or animal cell? Neither as it is not multicellular and it
is known as protista__.
