CELL OBSERVATIONS & QUESTIONS
Name: ___________________________
Cellular Observations
1. Observe the amoeba and describe the molecular and cellular processes that were
observed.
2. Observe the paramecium and describe the molecular and cellular processes that
were observed. What is the function of the contractile vacuole in these freshwater
specimens?
3. Observe the elodea and describe the molecular and cellular processes that were
observed.
4. Observe the volvox and describe how these protists are different than those that you
have observed thus far.
How might understanding these protists help in
understanding the evolution of plants, animals, and fungi?
Questions
1. Describe the technique of cell fractionation, and explain its importance in increasing
our understanding of cell structure and function.
2. Identify the cellular components that are shared among all living organisms.
3. Describe why cells are limited in size.
5. Identify the three major differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
6. Explain how the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are associated
with the evolution increased size in eukaryotes.
7. What is curious about the membranes of the chloroplast, mitochondria, and nucleus?
8. What is the function of the nucleolus?
9. Contrast the cellular function of the smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum.
10. What reaction is associated with the lysosome?
11. Identify a cellular organelle that would be common in each of the following cells and
explain why that cellular organelle is characteristics of that type of cell.
Adrenal gland cells
Liver cells
Muscle cells
Pancreatic Insulin cells
Macrophages
12. Given a unicellular protist living in an aquatic environment with plenty of carbon
dioxide, light, and an important essential macromolecular nutrient. Imagine that the
cell is composed only of a lipid membrane (no proteins at the moment) surrounding
the variety of expected organelles. Describe the numerous logical processes
necessary for this cell to acquire the macromolecular nutrient. In the description of
the processes you should note important organelles.