ESSAY QUESTIONS

3. (a) There are many organelles in a cell.

i. Explain what the organelles are.
-Tiny structures within a cell.
-Structures bounded by a membrane.
-Each organelle performs a specialized function.

ii. Discuss the main functions of each organelle and the ways they contribute to the specialized
function of the cell.
-Carry out specialized functions – Example: mitochondria produce chemical energy (ATP) for a
cell.
-Act as containers to separate parts of the cells – Example: A lysosome has a membrane to
contain its digestive enzymes from going into other parts of a cell and kill them.
-Sites for chemical reaction – Example: some chemical reaction of photosynthesis take place in
the membranes of the chloroplast.

(b) It is said that the specialization of cellular functions give a multicellular organism better chances of
survival.
i.Explain the meaning of cell specialization.
Specialization of cells means cells are differentiated in structure or form, and equipped with
sufficient supportive organelle in order to perform a specific function.

ii. Discuss the advantages that multicellular organisms have over unicellular organisms.
Compared to the unicellular organisms, multicellular organisms
-grow very large – easier to control loss of heat
-can adapt and live in a wide variety of environments
-obtain their energy from a wide variety of foods
-have complex bodies (like having legs, wings, eyes, sensory cells, buds) that help in survival

4. (a) A scientist has inserted a special DNA into the nucleus of a special bacterium cell. This DNA contains the genetic
information for the production of a particular protein to treat a life-threatening disease. Now he needs to consider the types
of cellular structures to add into the cytoplasm of this bacterium cell. Based on his plans, suggest suitable types of cellular
structures or organelles to add into this bacterium. Give your reason for each of our suggestion.
Nucleolus: needed to manufacture ribosomes for protein synthesis
Ribosomes: can insert extra to increase protein synthesis
Mitochondria: provide extra energy for protein synthesis
Rough endoplasmic reticulum: increased surfaces for protein synthesis, to package and transport proteins from ribosomes
Golgi apparatus: needed for the modification and combination with carbohydrates or fats to make glycoproteins,pinched off
in vesicles to be excreted from the cell membrane

1.List the substances required by and eliminated from living cells.

-required by: oxygen(animal cell), carbon dioxide(plant cell), glucose, amino acids, ionic salts
-eliminated: carbon dioxide(animal cell), oxygen(plant cell), secretions, nitrogenous waste, excess water

2.Why is the plasma membrane called the ‘fluid mosaic membrane’ model’?
Fluid mosaic membrane: fluid meaning free movement, and mosaic refers to different proteins, embedded in the phospholipid
bilayer

3.What are the substances that the plasma membrane permeable and impermeable to?
Permeable to: small non-polar molecules, and small uncharged molecules
Impermeable to: large polar molecules that are not suitable in lipids, and ions (charged particles)

4.Define these concepts: simple diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion, and active transport
Simple diffusion: random movement of ions or molecules from a region of high concentration to a region of low
concentration
Osmosis: diffusion of water molecules from a region of high water concentration to a region of low water concentration
Active transport: using carrier proteins and energy to transport ions or molecules across the cell membrane against the
concentration gradients of such ions or molecules transport
Facilitated diffusion: movement of specific molecules or ions across the plasma membrane
5. Give examples of active transport and passive transport as seen in living cells.
Simple diffusion: gaseous exchange in alveoli and blood capillaries
Osmosis: absorption of water in root hairs
Active transport: uptake of mineral salts by plant cells

6.Explain these terms: isotonic, hypotonic and hypertonic.

Isotonic – two or more solutions that are of equal solute concentrations
Hypotonic – one solution that is of a lower solute concentration than the other
Hypertonic – one solution that is of a higher solute concentration than the other

7.Explain the cause of each of these phenomena: cell lysis, haemolysis, crenation, plasmolysis, deplasmolysis, flaccidity and
turgidity.
Cell lysis – water molecules diffuse into an animal cell by osmosis, inflating and finally bursting its cell membrane
Haemolysis – cell lysis in a red blood cell
Crenation – the diffusion of water molecule out of the cell, that is left in a hypotonic solution, and subsequently shriveling it
Plasmolysis – shrinkage of the protoplasm away from the wall of a living plant cell, caused by the loss of water through
Osmosis
Cell flaccidity – the condition of a cell that is soft and weak due to a loss of water
Turgidity – the condition of a cell that has absorbed so much water that it is pressing outward against the cell wall

8. (a) All movements of substances have to pass through a plasma membrane. Explain the necessity for a plasma membrane.
-All cellular components are within the plasma membrane, so substances like nutrients and oxygen need to pass through the
plasma membrane to get in.
-Wastes and excess substances are moved outside and are separated by a plasma membrane.
-The types and the amount of substances needed inside a cell can be controlled by a plasma membrane.

(b) Explain what active transport and passive transport involve.

Active transport
-Transport of molecules across the plasma membrane.
-Requires ATP energy.
-Movement of substances is against the concentration gradient.
Passive transport
-Transport of molecules across the plas ma membrane by diffusion.
-Assisted by carrier proteins and channel proteins in facilitated diffusion.
-Does not require ATP energy.
-Movement of substances is down the concentration gradient.

9. What are the main and trace elements of living cells?

Main elements – the most frequently found elements in cells
Trace elements – elements required in minute quantities by an organism to maintain healthy physical functions

10. State the importance of these compounds in a cell:

(a) carbohydrates – store and provide energy
(b) lipids – stores energy, form parts of cell structures, such as cell membrane (fats, oils, waxes, phospholipids, steroids)
(c) proteins – for growth and repair, store energy and act as enzymes
(d) nucleic acids – store and transmission of genetic information

11.State three types of carbohydrates.

-Monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides.

12.What are enzymes?

Enzymes are proteins produced by living organisms and functioning as biochemical catalysts.

13.List the characteristics of enzymes.

(a) Proteins (d) Specific in action
(b) Speed up rate of reaction (e) Catalyse reversible reactions
(c) Required in small amounts (f) May need a coenzyme to function
14. Compare between metabolic enzymes and digestive enzymes.
Metabolic enzymes
-are intracellular enzymes
-synthesised in a cell and catalyses reactions within a cell
-example: the DNA polymerase catalyses the synthesis of DNA in a nucleus
Digestive enzymes
-are extracellular enzymes
-synthesised in a cell and then excreted out to catalyse reactions, particularly as digestive enzymes
-example: the salivary amylase catalyses the conversion of starch to maltose in the mouth