Chapter 1 Cell Review

All living things are composed of cells. Cells are the basic structural and functional units of life. They are responsible for carrying out all the necessary processes for an organism to survive and function. Cells can vary in size, shape, and function, but they are the building blocks of all living organisms. Blood, chloroplasts, and vacuoles are all components of cells, but cells themselves are the fundamental units that make up living things.

The invention of the microscope made the discovery of cells possible. Microscopes are instruments that use lenses to magnify objects that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. The simple microscope, also known as a magnifying glass, was the first type of microscope invented and allowed for the observation of small details. However, it had limitations in terms of magnification. The compound microscope, on the other hand, was a more advanced version that used multiple lenses to provide higher magnification and resolution, enabling the discovery of cells and other microscopic organisms.

The correct answer is nucleus. The nucleus is the control center of the cell in both plant and animal cells. It contains the cell's genetic material, including DNA, which controls the cell's activities and coordinates the cell's functions. The nucleus also regulates the production of proteins and plays a crucial role in cell division. The chloroplast is responsible for photosynthesis in plant cells, the cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance that fills the cell, and the Golgi body is involved in protein modification and transportation.

Ribosomes are the organelles responsible for protein synthesis in cells. They are composed of RNA and proteins and can be found either free in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. Ribosomes read the genetic information encoded in the mRNA and use it to assemble amino acids into a polypeptide chain, which then folds into a functional protein. Therefore, ribosomes play a crucial role in the production of proteins within the cell.

Osmosis is the correct answer because it refers to the process by which water molecules move across a cell membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. This movement occurs through specialized channels called aquaporins and does not require energy expenditure by the cell. Osmosis is essential for maintaining proper water balance and osmotic pressure within cells.

The correct answer is vacuole. A vacuole is a storage compartment in a cell that stores water, nutrients, and waste materials. It helps maintain the cell's shape and structure, regulates the cell's internal environment, and plays a role in cell growth and development. Vacuoles are found in both plant and animal cells, but they are larger and more prominent in plant cells. They can also contribute to the cell's defense mechanism by storing toxic substances or pigments.

Starch is a complex carbohydrate composed of long chains of glucose molecules. It is the primary energy storage molecule in plants and serves as a major source of energy for humans and animals when consumed. Therefore, the correct answer is carbohydrate.

Both DNA and RNA are types of nucleic acids. Nucleic acids are complex organic compounds that are essential for the storage and transmission of genetic information in living organisms. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the genetic material that carries the instructions for the development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms. RNA (ribonucleic acid) plays a crucial role in protein synthesis and gene expression. Therefore, the correct answer is "nucleic acids."

Bacteria are single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus. They are prokaryotic cells, which means they do not have a membrane-bound nucleus like eukaryotic cells do. Instead, their genetic material is found in a region called the nucleoid. Bacterial cells are often referred to as bacterial cells or simply bacteria.

The cell membrane is selectively permeable because it has the ability to regulate what substances can enter or exit the cell. It allows certain materials, such as water and small molecules, to pass through while preventing larger molecules and ions from freely crossing the membrane. This selective permeability is crucial for maintaining the cell's internal environment and controlling the movement of substances in and out of the cell.