6492BL: Assignment 1: Preliminary Biology.

Module 1

Cells the Basics of life: Cell structure and cell

function. (40 marks)

Student Name: Abby Mead

What you have to do

Before answering the questions you will need to work through the textbook. Revise Module 1
Cells the Basics of Life and relevant parts of chapter 22.

This assignment is compulsory but not accessible. Hand write the answers in the space below.
If you have any difficulties, please contact the Science section at TAFE Digital and ask for help.
Multiple choice

PART A 9 marks

Attempt Questions 1 – 9
Circle the alternative A, B, C or D below, that best answers the question.

1. Scientific method begins with asking a question. How is this proposed?

A. As an inquiry
B. As an hypothesis
C. As an observation
D. As a prediction

2. A controlled experiment is one in which

A. The experiment proceeds at a slow pace to guarantee that the scientist can carefully observe all
reactions and process all experimental data.
B. there are at least two groups, one differing from the other by two or more variables.
C. There are at least two groups, one of which does not receive the experimental treatment D. There
is one group for which the scientists control all variables.
D. There is one group for which the scientists control all variables.

3. A scientist testing the effects of a chemical on apple yield sprays an orchard with the chemical. A
second orchard does not receive the chemical. During Autumn, the number of apples harvested from
each orchard is counted. Which of the following is the independent (manipulated) variable in the
experiment?

A. the number of apples

B. the chemical
C. the first orchard
D. the second orchard.

4. In order for the apple tree experiment to be valid scientifically, both orchards must:

A. receive the same amount of sunlight

B. receive the same amount of water
C. have the same species of apple tree
D. all of these
5. If a theory is challenged by new evidence, which of the following could occur?

A. the theory could be altered

B. the theory is accepted, not the evidence
C. the evidence is wrong
D. a vote is taken on whether to accept the new evidence

6. Theories help scientists to:

A. explain large bodies of data

B. prove hypotheses
C. determine truth from lies
D. propose new ideas about how the world works

7. In presenting data that results from an experiment, a group of students show that most of their
measurements fall on a straight diagonal line of their graph. However, two of their data points are
“outliers” and fall far to one side of the expected relationship. What do they do?

A. Change the details of the experiment until they can obtain the expected results
B. Show these points but do not include it in the line of best fit
C. Do not show these points however try to explore reasons for these outliers
D. Include these points as no explanation is needed

8. The smallest unit capable of carrying out life functions is:

A. A cell
B. Tissue
C. DNA
D. Blood

9. Which of the following matches a cell organelle with its function?

A. Chloroplast—movement
B. nucleus—cell regulation
C. vacuole—energy production
D. mitochondrion—photosynthesis
PART B (31 marks) Question 1 (10 marks)

Types of cells

A. Describe a Prokaryotic cell and give an example. (1)

- A Prokaryotic cell is a singular cell with no nucleus. An example of this is bacteria.

B. Describe a Eukaryotic cell and give an example. (1)

- A eukaryotic cell is a domain of organisms. These cells have nucleuses. An example of a

eukaryotic cell is animals.

C. Draw a scaled drawing of a eukaryotic cell under a light microscope. (6)

Eukaryotic cell example = Euglena

Length of cell = 0.005cm

Length of drawing = 25cm

Actual length
—-------------- = 0.0002
Length of drawing

Scale: 1:0.0002
Question 2 (10 marks)
To do this question you should have completed Chapters one and two and used secondary
sources.

For each of the following organelles identify its function, describe its structure in words and with
a simple 2 dimensional pencil diagram and then relate the structure you have described to its
function.

Nucleus
a. Identify the function/s of the nucleus. (1)

- The functions of the nucleus include the storehouse of genetic information and the cell’s
control centre.

b. Describe the structure of the nucleus. (1)

Hint: what does it look like when seen with an electron microscope?

- The outside of the nucleus contains the nuclear pore and ribosomes. The next layer contains
the outer and inner membranes. The next layer includes the heterochromatin and euchromatin.
The innermost layer contains the nucleoplasm and nucleolus.

c. Draw a diagram of a nucleus in the space below. (2)

Hint: diagrams should always be in pencil and all structures shown must be labelled.
This example below shows how to answer this type of question. Sample Question: Relate
its structure to its function.

Hint: relate means explain how this structure helps the nucleus carry out its function? We have
answered this question below for you.

Sample Answer: The chromosomes contain the genetic information needed to code for the
formation of proteins. The pores in the membrane allow fairly large molecules to move in and
out of the nucleus to carry the coded information to the cell contents.

b Mitochondrion (plural is mitochondria)

i) Identify the function/s of the mitochondrion. (1)

- The function of the mitochondrion is oxidative phosphorylation.

ii) Describe the structure of the mitochondrion. (1)

- The mitochondrion consists of 3 layers. On the outside of the mitochondrion is the outer
membrane. In the middle of the mitochondrion is the inner membrane. And in the innermost
area of the mitochondrion is the matrix, DNA, ribosome and cristae.

iii) Diagram of mitochondrion. (2)

iv) Relate its structure to its function. (1)

- In a mitochondrion, the matrix is the part that is responsible for the TCA cycle (tricarboxylic
acid.) The ribosomes are used to synthesise proteins and the cristae is to increase the capacity
of the mitochondrion.

c Identify the organelles from those listed in the questions above which can be seen with a light
microscope. (1)

- The nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, chloroplasts and cell wall.

Question 3 (9 marks)

a Write a definition of diffusion by completing the following sentence: (1)

Diffusion is… the process that refers to the movement of molecules from one area of high
concentration to an area of low concentration.

b Write a definition of osmosis by completing the following sentence: (1)

Osmosis is… the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane.

c Now compare and contrast diffusion and osmosis under the headings. (4)

How are they similar?

Hint: things to say here are ‘they both ’

- Diffusion and osmosis are similar in the way that they are both processes that involve the
movement of something.
How are they different?

Hint: Things to say here are "Diffusion involves ________________ whereas osmosis involves __________.” You
must be comparing the same feature and show how it is different.

- Diffusion is a process that involves the movement of molecules to areas of different

concentrations. Whereas osmosis is the process in which water is moving across a membrane.

d Compare and contrast active transport and diffusion. (3)

- Active transport is the transport of molecules that require energy. Similarly, diffusion is the
process of moving molecules from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.
While these processes both involve the movement of molecules, they are transported differently.
Active transport requires an energy storing chemical called adenosine triphosphate to help
cross the cell membrane. However, in diffusion, a substance moves from an area of a high
concentration to an area of a lower concentration until the concentration becomes equal.

Question 4 (2 marks)

Cell size

Think about cooking potatoes in water by boiling them. Does it take longer for a bigger
potato to cook through than a small piece of potato? This is the concept we are
considering. The answer to this question is very straightforward; it takes the larger
potato a lot longer to cook through than the small one. It takes longer for the heat to
reach the centre of the larger one. This is the concept of surface area to volume ratio.
The large potato has a small surface area compared to its volume – it has a small
surface area to volume ratio. The small piece of potato has a large surface area
compared to volume ratio.

Hint: Identify the cause/reason for cells being the same size. Now show why this reason limits the size of the cells. A
useful joining word in this type of answer is because.

Explain why most cells in living things are a similar size. (2)
- Most cells in living things are a similar size as the surface area to volume ratio is the same or
close to the same in most living things. This requires cells to retain similar sizes as they are
needed to do equal things.
Checklist
I have:

● Circled the correct choice for multiple choice part A on the paper
● Handwritten all my answers in the spaces provided in my own words
● Clearly written my name on the top of this document