Science Cells Unit

Part 1 = Vocab words:

• Concepts = How do these concepts relate to our understanding of cells?

1. Cell = A basic unit of life that can perform all necessary functions for living organisms.  Cells are the building blocks of all living organisms.

2. Organelle = Specialized structures within a cell that perform distinct processes.  Organelles contribute to the cell's overall functionality and survival.

3. Microscope = An instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye.  Microscopes have enabled scientists to study cells and their structures in detail.

4. Silk Road = An ancient trade route that connected the East and West, facilitating the exchange of goods, culture, and knowledge.  The Silk Road played a role in the spread of scientific knowledge, including ideas about biology.

5. Islamic Golden Age = A period of cultural, economic, and scientific flourishing in the history of Islam.During this time, significant advancements were made in various fields, including biology and medicine.

6. DNA = Deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that carries genetic information in living organisms.  DNA is essential for heredity and the function of cells.

7. Prokaryotic cell (Prokaryote) = A simple, unicellular organism that lacks a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.  Prokaryotes include bacteria and archaea and are characterized by their simplicity.

8. Eukaryotic cell (Eukaryote) = A complex cell that has a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.  Eukaryotes include plants, animals, fungi, and protists.

9. Heterotroph = An organism that cannot produce its own food and relies on consuming other organisms for energy.  Heterotrophs obtain energy by eating plants, animals, or decomposing organic material.

10. Autotroph = An organism that can produce its own food from inorganic substances using light or chemical energy.  Autotrophs include plants, algae, and some bacteria that perform photosynthesis.

11. Multicellular = Organisms composed of multiple cells that work together to perform functions.  Multicellular organisms include animals, plants, and fungi.

12. Unicellular = Organisms made up of a single cell that performs all necessary functions for life.  Unicellular organisms include bacteria and certain protists.

• People: How are these people significant to our understanding of cells?

1. Robert Hooke = The scientist who first observed and coined the term "cell" after examining cork under a microscope.  His work laid the foundation for cell biology.

2. Ḥasan Ibn al-Haytham = Known for his work in optics and the scientific method, contributing to the understanding of vision and light.  His research influenced later developments in biology and microscopy.

3. Issac Newton = Renowned for his laws of motion and gravity, his work laid groundwork for the scientific method and inquiry in biology.  Newton's approaches influenced biological research methodologies.

4. Schleiden = A botanist who proposed that all plants are made of cells, contributing to the cell theory.  His work emphasized the importance of the cell as a fundamental unit of life.

5. Schwann = A zoologist who stated that all animals are composed of cells, further supporting the cell theory.  Schwann's findings helped unify the study of biology across different organisms.

6. Virchow = A physician who proposed that all cells arise from existing cells, completing the cell theory.  His contributions highlighted the continuity of life through cellular division.

• Cell Organelles = What are the functions of these cell organelles?

1. Lysosomes = Organelles that contain digestive enzymes to break down waste materials and cellular debris.  They help maintain the cell's health by removing unwanted materials.

2. Cell Wall = A rigid outer layer that provides support and protection to plant cells.  It helps maintain cell shape and prevents excessive water uptake.

3. Golgi apparatus/body = An organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for secretion or delivery to other organelles.  It plays a key role in processing and transporting cellular materials.

4. Cell membrane = A semi-permeable barrier that surrounds the cell, regulating what enters and exits.  It helps maintain homeostasis within the cell.

5. Cytoplasm = The gel-like substance within the cell membrane that contains organelles and is the site of many metabolic processes.  It provides a medium for cellular processes and supports organelles.

6. Vacuole = A storage organelle that can hold various substances, including nutrients, waste products, and water.  In plant cells, vacuoles also help maintain turgor pressure.

7. Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) = A network of membranes involved in protein and lipid synthesis; can be rough (with ribosomes) or smooth (without ribosomes).  It plays a vital role in the production and processing of biomolecules.

8. Chloroplast = An organelle found in plant cells that conducts photosynthesis, converting light energy into chemical energy.  Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, which captures sunlight for energy.

9. Ribosomes =Small structures that synthesize proteins by translating messenger RNA.  They are essential for protein production in all living cells.

10. Nucleus = The control center of the cell that contains genetic material (DNA) and regulates cellular activities.  It is responsible for growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

11. Mitochondria = Organelles known as the powerhouses of the cell, responsible for producing ATP through cellular respiration.  Mitochondria provide energy necessary for the cell's functions.

Part 2 = Questions:

Answer the following questions in as much detail as you can.

• What three things does the original Modern Cell Theory State?

  1. All living organisms are composed of one or more cells.

  2. The cell is the basic unit of life.

  3. All cells arise from pre-existing cells.

• What are Schleiden, Schwann, and Virchow each known for in regards to cell theory?

  1. Schleiden = He proposed that all plants are made of cells.

  2. Schwann = He stated that all animals are made of cells.

  3. Virchow = He concluded that all cells come from existing cells.

• Who discovered the first cell? = Robert Hooke discovered the first cell while examining cork under a microscope.

• What are the similarities and differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

  1. Only Prokaryotes have… no nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.

  2. Only Eukaryotes have… a true nucleus and complex organelles.

  3. Both Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes have… cell membranes, ribosomes, and genetic material (DNA or RNA).

• What are the similarities and differences between plant and animal cells?

  1. Only Plant cells… have a cell wall and chloroplasts.

  2. Only Animal cells… have lysosomes and centrioles.

  3. Both Plant and Animal cells… have a nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria.

• Is this image a Eukaryotic cell or a Prokaryotic cell? Why?

This is a Eukaryotic Cell because it is a complex cell that has a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.  Eukaryotes include plants, animals, fungi, and protists.

• Be able to tell what these major organelles do and what they are like (analogies). Lysosomes, Cell Wall, Golgi apparatus/body, Cell membrane, Cytoplasm, Vacuole, Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER), Chloroplast, Ribosomes, Nucleus, Mitochondria. 

1. Lysosomes: Lysosomes are like recycling centers because they break down waste materials and old cellular components, much like recycling centers process and repurpose items to reduce waste.

2. Cell Wall: The cell wall is like a fortress wall because it provides protection and support for the structure inside, just as a fortress wall defends and maintains the integrity of the fortress.

3. Golgi Apparatus/body: The Golgi apparatus is like a post office because it modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for delivery to their final destinations, just as a post office prepares and sends mail to various locations.

4. Cell Membrane: The cell membrane is like a security guard at a building entrance because it controls who can enter and exit, ensuring that only certain substances can pass through, similar to its selective permeability.

5. Cytoplasm: Cytoplasm is like a swimming pool because it is a fluid-filled space where various activities occur, allowing different components to float and interact, similar to how swimmers move around and engage in activities in a pool.

6. Vacuole: A vacuole is like a storage room in a house because it holds various items and supplies, keeping them organized and ready for use, much like a vacuole stores nutrients, waste products, and other materials within a cell.

7. Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): The endoplasmic reticulum is like a highway system because it provides pathways for transporting materials throughout the city (cell), similar to how the ER transports proteins and lipids to different parts of the cell.

8. Chloroplasts: Chloroplasts are like solar panels because they capture sunlight and convert it into energy, just as chloroplasts convert light energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis.

9. Ribosomes: Ribosomes are like chefs in a restaurant because they create the dishes (proteins) that the restaurant serves, just as ribosomes synthesize proteins based on the instructions from the nucleus.

10. Nucleus: The nucleus is like a control center in a factory because it contains all the blueprints and instructions needed to operate the factory, just as the nucleus holds the cell's DNA and regulates its activities.

11. Mitochondria: Mitochondria are like power plants because they generate energy for the entire city, similar to how mitochondria produce ATP to power cellular functions.

• How do you make a wet mount slide? = Gather materials, Place the specimen o, n the slide, Add a drop of water, Position the coverslip at an angleLower the coverslip onto the slide, Observe under the microscope, Clean up.

• Is this image a Eukaryotic cell or a Prokaryotic cell? Why?

This is a Eukaryotic Cell because it is a complex cell that has a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.  Eukaryotes include plants, animals, fungi, and protists.

• Label the organelles on the following images.

1. Cytoplasm

2. Nucleus

3. Cell Membrane

4. Ribosomes

5. Cell Wall

6. Large Vacuole 

7. Chloroplast