AY 2020 Sem 1 A104 P01 WS Team 2

A104 Biology
Problem 1: Blocks of Life?
Student resources [Access March 2020]:
1. Factsheet and history of the Cell Theory:

Lauren Royal-Woods. The wacky history of cell theory (Video)
http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-wacky-history-of-cell-theory
2. Basics of Cell:
What is a cell? Scitable by Nature education (Video)
http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/what-is-a-cell-14023083
3. James A. Sullivan. Comparison between cell types (animation)

http://www.cellsalive.com/cells/cell_model.htm
4. Glossary
Copyright © 2020 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

1. There are 2 major classifications of cells, as seen in the figure below:
*Archaea was only recently discovered

Cells and constitutes a highly specialized
group of prokaryotes that
characteristically live in extreme
environments. For more information on
Eukaryotic cells the history of its discovery, check out
Prokaryotic cells this link [Access March 2020]:
Eg. Plants, Animals Eg. Bacteria, Archaea* http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/
archaea/archaea.html
Figure 1 illustrates the cellular structures of a Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic cells.
Figure 1: Eukaryotic vs Prokaryotic Cells
Referring to Figure 1, compare the differences between a Eukaryotic cell and a Prokaryotic
cell. List the differences in the table below [Access March 2020]:
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ-SMCmWB1s

Characteristics Eukaryotic cell Prokaryotic cell
Cell wall Present in plant cells but not in Present
animal cells
Nucleus Membrane bound nucleus nucleus is absent
DNA (genetic material) Present in all cells Present in all cells
Cell membrane Present Present

Organelles Contains organelles Lack organelles
Exist in Single-Cellular or Single-Cellular and Multicellular Single-Cellular

Multi-Cellular form?
Example of types of cells fungus bacteria
2. If we were to examine humans, animals and plants under a microscope, we would view its cells,
shown in the figures below.
Figure 2a: Human cheek cells Figure 2b: Cells in dog's blood Figure 2c: Plant cells
Observe the cells’ structures. What are some similarities and differences that you notice
between animal, human and plant cells? List out these differences.
Similarities:
Vacuoles
Lysosome
Cell membrane
Ribosomes
Cytoplasm
Differences:

Unlike plant cells, human and animal cells do not have cell wall
Unlike blood cells, the plant cells and human cell have nucleus
Unlike plant cells, human and animal cells does not have chloroplast
3. Animal and plant cells are eukaryotic cells but have important differences. Refer to Figure 3
and identify parts A to D. Explain their functions.
Figure 3
Structure Name of Function Found in Plant
structure or Animal Cell?
A Cell wall It helps in the maintenance of the cell Plant
structure and shape.
B Chloroplast It helps to absorb sunlight and use it in Plant
conjunction with water and carbon dioxide
gas to produce food for the plant.
C Nucleus It controls cell activities such as cell growth Plant
and the repair of worn-out parts. It is also
essential for cell division.
D Vacuole It is the storage structure in a cell. It can hold Both
food for later use or waste for removal.
*Fun Fact: Mitochondria and chloroplasts in eukaryotic cells bear a striking physical appearance. Explore
the evolution of these organelles [Access March 2020]:
http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/content/organelles.html

4. In summary, eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells consist of different types of structures which
enable the cell to function accordingly. Hence, organelle structures give rise to cellular
function.
Watch the YouTube video on animal cells [Access March 2020]:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4L_QO4WKtM
a. Describe the structure of cellular membrane and explain how it creates the cell’s
complexity. List the advantages of this.
Cellular membranes form a barrier between cytoplasm and the outsides of the cell to
help regulate and control what goes in and out of the cell. It helps organize a group of cells
to form an organelle which allow for greater efficiency and become more specialized
b. Identify the cellular structures/organelles containing a membrane. List the organelle’s

functions in the table below.
Name of structure Function

containing membrane
Cell Membrane responsible for transport of ions, nutrients and waste across the
membrane
Nucleus Control cellular activities, stores DNA, production of ribosomes
Endoplasmic Reticulum Contains, modifies and transports proteins. Generates New
membrane and neutralize toxins
Golgi apparatus Modifies,sorts and packages and distributes protein.
Mitochondria Energy Production
Vesicles transportation of molecules between different location of the cell.
Lysosomes Digestion of cell components and molecules
Vacuoles Membrane-bound cavity containing liquid,food molecules or
cellular secretionsVesicles
5. The Modern Cell Theory states that:

1) All known living things are made up of one or more cells
2) All living cells arise from pre-existing cells by division.
3) The cell is the fundamentals unit of structure and function in all living organisms.
4) The activity of an organism depends on the total activity of independent cells.
5) Energy flow (metabolism and biochemistry) occurs within cells.
6) Cells contain DNA, the blueprint for their cell growth, development and behavior and is
found in the nucleus. It also contains RNA which could be found in the cell nucleus and
cytoplasm.

7) All cells are basically the same in chemical composition in organisms of similar
species.
*http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Wiki-Cell-Theory.pdf [Access March 2020]
Using the cell theory stated above, compare and contrast between the types of cells discussed
so far, and identify if they fulfill the all the requirements of the cell theory:
Cell Theory Is this true for Is this true for Is this true for
animals? Elaborate plants? prokaryotes (e.g
where appropriate. Elaborate bacteria)? Elaborate
where where appropriate.
appropriate.
1) All known living Yes Yes Yes, prokaryotes is a
things are made up of unicellular organism
one or more cells.
2) All living cells arise Yes Yes Yes
from pre-existing cells
by division.
3) The cell is the Yes Yes Yes
fundamental unit of
structure and function
in all living
organisms.
4) The activity of an Yes Yes No.Prokaryotes is a
organism depends on unicellular organism
the total activity of and does not depend
independent cells. on the total activity of
independent cells.
5) Energy flow Yes Yes Yes
(metabolism and bioc
hemistry) occurs
within cells.
6) Cells contains yes yes Yes
DNA which is found All cell have DNA,cell
specifically in the membrane cytoplasm
chromosome and and ribosomes
RNA found in the cell
nucleus and
cytoplasm.
7) All cells are Yes Yes Yes
basically the same in
chemical composition
in organisms of
similar species.

6. Based on the Cell Theory and on your understanding of the cell structure and function,
explain how cells are “self-regulating”. Give examples.
Self-regulation is an important factor in cell division and differentiation as it helps to

maintain and sustain the shape and activities within the cells. For example, in mammals,
after part of the liver has been removed, the remaining part regenerates automatically
compensating for the loss. Another example, the self-assembly of cellular organelles from
biologic macromole-cules.
7. Going further:
With the knowledge of the cell structure and function, it is possible to engineer and alter the
functions of basic cells. Two examples are given below:
A. Production of human medicine in mass quantities such as insulin using bacteria.
B. Crops such as corn can be altered to be resistance to herbicides, making it easier to kill
weeds without affecting the corn.
Based on what you have learnt about cell structure and function, explain how cellular
engineering is possible? What are some potential problems arise from this technology?
Cellular engineering is possible as we use mathematics, physics, engineering and

computer science to understand and model how cells regulate and optimize their shape and
function in response to specific stimuli, and aim at building automated machines out of living
cells. One of the problems that can arise from this technology is it can cause foreseeable
damage to the ecosystem. Example will be overusing herbicides can drive weed and the
increased use of glyphosate resistant crops could lead to increase in human health problems.
Another example is that it can lead to disease transmission in the human body where some
diseases such as cancer,blood disorders and genetic conditions may be present.
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AY 2020 Sem 1 A104 P01 WS Team 2

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A104 Biology

Problem 1: Blocks of Life?

Student resources [Access March 2020]:

1. Factsheet and history of the Cell Theory:

3. James A. Sullivan. Comparison between cell types (animation)

Copyright © 2020 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

*Archaea was only recently discovered

Figure 1 illustrates the cellular structures of a Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic cells.

Figure 1: Eukaryotic vs Prokaryotic Cells

Copyright © 2020 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Cell membrane Present Present

Exist in Single-Cellular or Single-Cellular and Multicellular Single-Cellular

Copyright © 2020 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Copyright © 2020 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

b. Identify the cellular structures/organelles containing a membrane. List the organelle’s

Name of structure Function

5. The Modern Cell Theory states that:

Copyright © 2020 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Copyright © 2020 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Self-regulation is an important factor in cell division and differentiation as it helps to

A. Production of human medicine in mass quantities such as insulin using bacteria.

Cellular engineering is possible as we use mathematics, physics, engineering and

Copyright © 2020 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

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