Cell Structure Essay Example
UMUC Biology 102
Lab 3: Cell Structure and Function
Experiment 1: Labeling (consult the Lab 3 Introduction for more details)
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* * * Questions 1. For each structure identified, do you think its location affects its ability to function? Why or why not? (Hint: those buried deep in the cell probably do different things than those closer to the cell membrane)
Everything in a cell seems to be in a position, size, etc that enables it to perform in the most efficient manner possible. Short answer is yes. I can't say for sure that a change in location would cause a cell to cease functioning, however, it would not be as efficient as the rest. This alone may cause it to be destroyed. 2. Draw a labeled diagram of a small section of the plasma membrane and briefly describe its structure and function.
3. Describe the differences between animal and plant cells.
First, animal cells don't have central vacuoles or cell walls. The latter makes their shape more round/fluid, versus the plant cell which is more angular/rigid. Plant cells have chloroplasts to convert light into energy, animals do not. Animal cells contain centriole, lysosome, and flagellum, where as most plant cells do not. 4. Which of the following structures are present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
The plasma membrane, DNA, and cytoplasm are present in both types of cells. Name | Prokaryotic | Eukaryotic | Plasma Membrane | x | x | Golgi Apparatus | | x | DNA | x | x | Lysosome | | x | Peroxisomes | | x | Cytoplasm | x | x |
5. Where is genetic material found in plant cells?
DNA is found in the nucleus. 6. Mitochondria are the only organelles that contain their own DNA (circular) and have a double membrane. What explanation for this observation can you come up with?
(Hint 1: Where else do we see circular DNA?)
(Hint 2: What do you know about the relative age of eukaryotic
Lab 3: Cell Structure and Function
Experiment 1: Labeling (consult the Lab 3 Introduction for more details)
* * * *
* * * Questions 1. For each structure identified, do you think its location affects its ability to function? Why or why not? (Hint: those buried deep in the cell probably do different things than those closer to the cell membrane)
Everything in a cell seems to be in a position, size, etc that enables it to perform in the most efficient manner possible. Short answer is yes. I can't say for sure that a change in location would cause a cell to cease functioning, however, it would not be as efficient as the rest. This alone may cause it to be destroyed. 2. Draw a labeled diagram of a small section of the plasma membrane and briefly describe its structure and function.
3. Describe the differences between animal and plant cells.
First, animal cells don't have central vacuoles or cell walls. The latter makes their shape more round/fluid, versus the plant cell which is more angular/rigid. Plant cells have chloroplasts to convert light into energy, animals do not. Animal cells contain centriole, lysosome, and flagellum, where as most plant cells do not. 4. Which of the following structures are present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
The plasma membrane, DNA, and cytoplasm are present in both types of cells. Name | Prokaryotic | Eukaryotic | Plasma Membrane | x | x | Golgi Apparatus | | x | DNA | x | x | Lysosome | | x | Peroxisomes | | x | Cytoplasm | x | x |
5. Where is genetic material found in plant cells?
DNA is found in the nucleus. 6. Mitochondria are the only organelles that contain their own DNA (circular) and have a double membrane. What explanation for this observation can you come up with?
(Hint 1: Where else do we see circular DNA?)
(Hint 2: What do you know about the relative age of eukaryotic