Identifying if each structure is found in animal cells, in plant cells, and/or in bacterial cells

at
Categories
Tags

 

demonstrate your knowledge of cell structures by:

Identifying if each structure is found in animal cells, in plant cells, and/or in bacterial cells. Structures can be found in one, two or all of these.
Identifying what each structure looks like.
Identifying what each structure does.
Cell structures:

DNA
Nucleus
Cell wall
Ribosomes
Chloroplast
Mitochondrion
Golgi apparatus
Plasma membrane
Rough endoplasmic reticulum
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
Level-up
Add these structures to your answer from above:

Cytosol
Lysosome
Nucleolus
Peroxisome
Cytoskeleton
Secretory Vesicles
Assignment – Part C

Antibiotics (more accurately called antibacterials) are used to treat infections because they kill bacterial cells without too much harm to the patient. Antibacterials should target structures that are present in bacteria but not in the human patient.

Would the cell wall be a good target for an antibacterial? Why or why not?
Would the Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum be a good target for an antibacterial? Why or why not?
Ribosomes are a good target for antibiotics even though both patient and bacterial cells have these structures. Why can antibiotics target bacterial ribosomes without harming the patients cells? [This one will take a bit of research; be sure to cite your sources].
Level-up
Answer the questions below. of our textbook will help you answer these questions.

Describe five characteristics of living things.
Which of these characteristics do viruses have?

Sample Solution

Found in Animal Cells, Plant Cells, and Bacterial Cells:

  • DNA: Genetic material found in all cells, but organized differently in each type.
  • Ribosomes: Protein-making factories found in all cells.
  • Plasma membrane: Outer boundary of all cells.

Found in Animal and Plant Cells:

  • Nucleus: Membrane-bound organelle containing DNA in animal and plant cells.
  • Golgi apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids.
  • Mitochondrion: Powerhouse of the cell, responsible for cellular respiration.
  • Endoplasmic reticulum: Network of membranes involved in various cellular functions:
    • Rough ER: Studded with ribosomes, involved in protein synthesis.
    • Smooth ER: Lacks ribosomes, involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification.
  • Lysosome: Membrane-bound organelle containing enzymes for breaking down cellular waste.
  • Cytoskeleton: Network of protein filaments providing structural support and facilitating cell movement.
  • Secretory vesicles: Small sacs that transport and release materials out of the cell.

Found in Plant Cells Only:

  • Cell wall: Rigid outer layer providing structural support and protection.
  • Chloroplast: Organelles responsible for photosynthesis, converting sunlight into energy.
  • Nucleolus: Region within the nucleus involved in ribosome production.
  • Peroxisome: Organelles involved in various metabolic processes, including breakdown of fatty acids and detoxification.

Cytosol:

  • The fluid-filled medium within the cell, containing various organelles and molecules.

Antibiotic Targets

  • Cell wall: A good target for antibiotics because bacteria have unique cell walls that are not present in human cells. Targeting the cell wall can disrupt bacterial cell structure and lead to cell death.
  • Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum: Not a good target for antibiotics because its functions are similar in both bacterial and human cells. Targeting the SER could harm both types of cells.
  • Ribosomes: A good target for antibiotics because bacterial ribosomes have slight differences in structure compared to human ribosomes. These differences allow antibiotics to selectively target bacterial ribosomes without harming human cells. This is why many antibiotics work by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis.

Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID): https://www.nature.com/articles/nrmicro3155

Characteristics of Living Things

  1. Organization: Living things are composed of cells, the basic units of life.
  2. Growth and development: Living things grow and develop over time.
  3. Reproduction: Living things reproduce to pass on their genetic information.
  4. Response to stimuli: Living things respond to changes in their environment.
  5. Metabolism: Living things use energy to carry out life processes.

Characteristics of Viruses

While viruses can reproduce and evolve, they lack many of the other characteristics of living things. They are not made of cells, they cannot grow or develop on their own, and they do not metabolize. Therefore, viruses are generally considered to be non-living entities.

 

This question has been answered.

Get Answer