Take Home Assignment - Biology Cell Analysis
Biology 1003 - Cells: Size, Structure and Microscopy
Introduction
What is life? What are the key factors that biologists have defined that apply to every single organism on the planet? In the 17th century, due to the amazing advancement of the microscope, biologists created a theory to differentiate the living from the non-living called the cell theory. One concept from the theory is that all living organisms are composed of one or more cells. The importance of studying cells is akin to the importance of studying life. By being able to observe and experiment will cells, we are further able to understand their function in the environment, in organisms as well as in ourselves. It is the most fundamental unit of life and is responsible for all functions within an organism. There are many different kinds of cells, which pertain to certain life forms on earth carrying out certain specific functions. Cells can be separated into two categories prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Prokaryotes are typically found in unicellular organisms. They do not have a nucleus or nucleus bound organelles. Therefore their DNA, proteins, ribosomes and etc. are enclosed within the cell membrane, without any specific location. They reproduce by the process of binary fission. The two domains of organisms that contain these cells are bacteria and archae. Archae is a unicellular organism that grows in extreme environmental conditions, it is theorized to be the first organisms on the planet. Bacteria are the largest kingdoms of organisms in the world. They grow in several habitats (in soil, in water, in the Earth’s crust, etc.). The second kind of cell is the eukaryotic cell. These cells contain a nucleus as well as nucleus bond organelles (for example; Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, etc.). Eukaryotes cells exists in four kingdoms; fungi, protists, animals and plants. Funguses are decomposers and are vital for cycling nutrients in the environment. Animals and plants differ in cell
Introduction
What is life? What are the key factors that biologists have defined that apply to every single organism on the planet? In the 17th century, due to the amazing advancement of the microscope, biologists created a theory to differentiate the living from the non-living called the cell theory. One concept from the theory is that all living organisms are composed of one or more cells. The importance of studying cells is akin to the importance of studying life. By being able to observe and experiment will cells, we are further able to understand their function in the environment, in organisms as well as in ourselves. It is the most fundamental unit of life and is responsible for all functions within an organism. There are many different kinds of cells, which pertain to certain life forms on earth carrying out certain specific functions. Cells can be separated into two categories prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Prokaryotes are typically found in unicellular organisms. They do not have a nucleus or nucleus bound organelles. Therefore their DNA, proteins, ribosomes and etc. are enclosed within the cell membrane, without any specific location. They reproduce by the process of binary fission. The two domains of organisms that contain these cells are bacteria and archae. Archae is a unicellular organism that grows in extreme environmental conditions, it is theorized to be the first organisms on the planet. Bacteria are the largest kingdoms of organisms in the world. They grow in several habitats (in soil, in water, in the Earth’s crust, etc.). The second kind of cell is the eukaryotic cell. These cells contain a nucleus as well as nucleus bond organelles (for example; Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, etc.). Eukaryotes cells exists in four kingdoms; fungi, protists, animals and plants. Funguses are decomposers and are vital for cycling nutrients in the environment. Animals and plants differ in cell
References: 1. Margulis, L., K.V. Schwartz, and M. Dolan. 1994. The Illustrated Five Kingdoms: A Guide To The Diversity Of Life On Earth. http://www.tulane.edu/~bfleury/diversity/diversity.htmlSeptember 27, 2012. 2. Campbell, N. 2003 Biology:Concepts & Connections. http://library.thinkquest.org/12413/karyotes.html. September 28, 2012. 3. Bauman, Robert W., Tizard, Ian R., Machunis-Masouka, Elizabeth (2006). Microbiology. http://science-class.net/Biology/Microbiology.htm. September 29, 2012 4. Reece, J.G, M.R. Taylor, E.J. Simon, J.L. Dickey, A. Jones, R. Reed and J. Weyers. 2012. Biology: Custom Edition for Carleton Univeristy. Pearson Learning Solutions. Boston, MA. 5. A.V. Grimstone. 1962. Cilia and Flagellum. http://bmb.oxfordjournals.org.proxy.library.carleton.ca/content/18/3/238.full.pdf+html. September 27, 2012. 6. Nina Stromgren A, Robert Day Allen. 1978. Cytoplasmic Streaming in Green Plants. http://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/gold/pdfs/allen78.pdf. September 29, 2012. 7. Kitamura K, Yamamoto Y. 1972. Purification and properties of an enzyme, zymolyase, which lyses viable yeast cells. http://www.enzymestuff.com/conditionyeastresearch.htm. September 27, 2012