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Answers To Self-Assessment Questions: 1 Cell Structure
Answers To Self-Assessment Questions: 1 Cell Structure
1 Cell structure
1.1 Structures found in both animal and plant cells: nucleus with nucleolus and chromatin cytoplasm containing mitochondria, Golgi apparatus and other small structures cell surface membrane. Structure found only in animal cells: centriole. Structures found only in plant cells: chloroplasts large, permanent central vacuole cell wall with middle lamella and plasmodesmata. 1.2 a Actual diameter = 20 m (see caption) Diameter on diagram Magnification, M = 60 mm = 60 000 m = size of image, I actual size of specimen, A = 60 000 20 Therefore magnification = 3000 b Magnification = 20 000 (see caption)
Length on micrograph = 65 mm = 65 000 m Size of specimen, A = size of image, I magnification, M = 65 000 20 000 Therefore actual size of chloroplast = 3.25 m 1.3 The resolution of a microscope is limited by the radiation used to view the specimen. Resolution equals half the wavelength of the radiation used. The shortest wavelength of light is 400 nm, therefore the resolution of a light microscope is 200 nm. The diameter of a ribosome is much smaller than this, namely 25 nm. 1.4 Detail seen with the electron microscope, but not apparent using a light microscope: in the nucleus, chromatin can be distinguished the nucleus is seen to be surrounded by a double membrane (envelope) with pores in it mitochondria have a surrounding double membrane (envelope), the inner layer forming finger-like folds pointing inwards endoplasmic reticulum is extensive throughout the cell, some with ribosomes (rough) and some without (smooth) small structures seen under the light microscope can be distinguished by the election microscope as lysosomes and vesicles free ribosomes are seen throughout the cell the centriole is seen to be two separate centrioles finger-like extensions of the cell surface membrane, known as microvilli, are seen. 1.5 Detail seen with the electron microscope, but not apparent using a light microscope: in the nucleus, chromatin can be distinguished the nuclear membrane can be seen as a double structure (envelope), continuous with the rough endoplasmic reticulum, and with pores in it
Answers to SAQs: Chapter 1 1 1
there is extensive rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum throughout the cell free ribosomes in the cytoplasm the mitochondria have a double membrane (envelope), the inner layer having folds into the matrix chloroplasts have a double outer membrane (envelope) grana can be seen in the chloroplast, as stacks of sacs connected to other grana by longer sacs (thylakoids). 1.6 Cell surface membrane: essential because it forms a partially permeable barrier between the cell and its environment, regulating movement of materials into and out of the cell. This is necessary to maintain an environment inside the cell which is different from that outside the cell.
Cytoplasm: site of metabolic activity; contains biochemicals in solution. Ribosomes: sites of protein synthesis, an essential activity of all cells. (DNA controls cells by controlling which proteins are made.) Protein synthesis is a complex process involving the interaction of many molecules; the ribosome provides a site where this can happen in an organised way. DNA: the genetic material. Contains the information which controls the activities of the cell. Has the ability to replicate itself, enabling new cells to be formed. Cell wall (absent in animal cells): prevents the cell from bursting as a result of osmosis if it is exposed to a solution of higher water potential.
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