What are the basic units of all forms of life?
Cells.
Cells are the smallest structural and functional units of living organisms.
What controls the differences between types of cells?
Genes in the nucleus.
Genes are segments of DNA that contain instructions for the development and function of cells.
What process allows cells to divide and produce two identical new cells?
Mitosis.
Mitosis is a type of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
Why do different cells have different structures?
To perform specific functions within the organism.
The specialized structures of cells enable them to carry out unique roles, contributing to the overall function of tissues and organs.
What is a stem cell?
A cell that can grow into a range of different types of cells if isolated early in growth.
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with the potential to differentiate into various specialized cell types.
What is the medical use of stem cells called?
Stem cell technology.
This technology encompasses techniques for using stem cells to treat or prevent diseases.
How does stem cell technology help doctors?
It allows them to grow new tissue and repair damaged organs.
Stem cell technology holds promise for regenerative medicine and therapeutic applications.
What structures are found in plant and animal (eukaryotic) cells?
Cell membrane, cytoplasm, and genetic material in a nucleus.
These structures are essential for the life processes of eukaryotic cells.
What kind of cells are eukaryotic?
Plant and animal cells.
Eukaryotic cells are characterized by the presence of a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
What kind of cells are prokaryotic?
Bacterial cells.
Prokaryotic cells are simpler and lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
How are bacterial (prokaryotic) cells different from eukaryotic cells?
They are smaller and have no nucleus; their DNA is in a single loop and plasmids.
This structural difference is fundamental to the biology of prokaryotes.
What do both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells have?
Cytoplasm and a cell membrane.
These components are critical for maintaining the cell’s environment and facilitating biochemical reactions.
What surrounds a bacterial cell’s membrane?
A cell wall.
The cell wall provides structural support and protection to the bacterial cell.
What are plasmids?
Small rings of DNA found in bacterial cells.
Plasmids often carry genes that provide bacteria with genetic advantages, such as antibiotic resistance.
What units should students use when measuring cells?
Centi (cm), milli (mm), micro (μm), and nano (nm).
These units are important for accurately measuring and describing the size of cells and cellular components.
