Cells Notes
1. What is the definition of biology?
- Biology is the study of living organisms, their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution,
and distribution.
2. What are the manifestations of life?
- The manifestations of life include nutrition, growth, respiration, excretion, sensation, and
reproduction.
3. How do animals and plants compare?
- Animals and plants differ in their cellular structure, mode of nutrition, respiration, and
reproduction, among other characteristics.
4. What are the branches of biology?
- The branches of biology include morphology, gross anatomy, histology, cytology,
embryology, physiology, ecology, animal behavior, biodiversity, taxonomy, genetics, and
specialized fields like entomology, helminthology, ornithology, microbiology, virology,
mycology, and phycology.
5. What is the history of cell discovery?
- Important figures in cell discovery include Zacharias Jannsen (1590), Marcello Malpighi
(1661), Robert Hooke (1665), Anton Von Leeuwenhoek (1674), Robert Brown (1831), Mattias
Schleiden (1838), Theodor Schwann (1839), and Rudolph Virchow (1858).
6. What is cell theory?
- Cell theory states that all living things are composed of cells, cells are the fundamental
building block of life, and all cells come from pre-existing cells.
Page | 1
7. How do we observe cells?
- Cells are observed using light microscopes, which use visible light to magnify images, and
electron microscopes, which provide higher magnification and resolution.
8. How do we know what happens in each part of the cell?
- Radioisotopes trace chemical reactions in cells, and cellular structures can be separated using
a blender and centrifuge to analyze different layers.
9. What are the processes of cells?
- Cellular processes include nutrition, digestion, absorption, biosynthesis, respiration,
excretion, secretion, reproduction, movement, and egestion.
10. What are the characteristics of cells?
- Cells differ in shape, size, function, organelles, and inclusions. They are usually uninuclear,
can be either eukaryotic or prokaryotic, and no two cells are identical.
11. What are prokaryotic cells?
- Prokaryotic cells belong to the kingdoms Monera (Eubacteria) and Archaea (Archaebacteria).
They lack a nuclear membrane and membrane-bound organelles.
12. What are eukaryotic cells?
- Eukaryotic cells belong to the kingdoms Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia. They have a
nuclear membrane and membrane-bound organelles.
13. What are the unique structures of animal cells?
- Animal cells have unique structures such as centrioles, lysosomes, and flagella.
14. What are the unique structures of plant cells?
- Plant cells have unique structures like large central vacuoles, cell walls, and chloroplasts.
Page | 2
15. What is the plasma membrane?
- The plasma membrane is a lipid bilayer with embedded proteins, cholesterol, and
carbohydrate chains that protect the cell and regulate the movement of substances in and out.
16. What is the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)?
- The ER is a network of membranes involved in protein and lipid synthesis. The rough ER
has ribosomes and produces membrane and secretory proteins, while the smooth ER is involved
in lipid synthesis and detoxification.
17. What are ribosomes?
- Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis and are found on the rough ER and within the
cytoplasm.
18. What is the Golgi apparatus?
- The Golgi apparatus refines, stores, and marks molecules for shipment. It is like the cell's
post office, modifying and directing products.
19. What are mitochondria?
- Mitochondria are the site of cellular respiration, converting food into energy (ATP). They
have a double membrane and are highly efficient in energy conversion.
20. What are lysosomes?
- Lysosomes are sacs of digestive enzymes that break down food vacuoles, invading bacteria,
and old organelles. They can also release enzymes to break down the entire cell.
21. What are centrioles?
- Centrioles are involved in cell reproduction, helping the cell divide by moving to the poles
during cell division.
Page | 3
22. What are chloroplasts?
- Chloroplasts are found in plant cells and contain chlorophyll, which captures sunlight for
photosynthesis, converting carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
23. What is the cell wall?
- The cell wall is a rigid layer found in plant cells, composed of polysaccharides, providing
structure and protection.
24. What are cell vacuoles?
- Cell vacuoles are storage organelles found in both plant and animal cells, storing food, water,
and waste products.
25. What is the nucleus?
- The nucleus is the control center of the cell, containing DNA and the nucleolus, where
ribosomes are produced. It is surrounded by a double membrane with pores for communication
with the cytoplasm.
26. What are flagella and cilia?
- Flagella and cilia are structures involved in cell movement. Flagella are long, whip-like
structures, while cilia are short, hair-like projections.
27. What are the levels of cellular organization?
- The levels of cellular organization include cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and the
complete organism.
Page | 4