1. A student wonders whether removing the nucleus from a cell would result in a new prokaryotic cell. Why would this procedure fail to produce a prokaryotic cell?

Question

The cell would lack genetic information.
The cell would lack the structure that is needed to produce energy.
The cell would lack the structure that is needed to protect the cell’s organelles.
The cell would lack control over materials that move into and out of the cell.

2. Which best describes mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)?
Mitochondrial DNA is the same as nuclear DNA.
Mitochondrial DNA is inherited through the father.
Mitochondrial DNA can be traced for generations.
Mitochondrial DNA requires large amounts for testing.

3. Which statement is most likely to apply to a cell that has DNA within its cytoplasm?
It lacks ribosomes.
It has membrane-bound organelles.
It is multicellular.
It performs all functions for the organism.

4. A scientist is studying a cell and can clearly see that it has ribosomes and mitochondria. Which statement best describes how the cell could be classified?
The cell is prokaryotic because it contains ribosomes.
The cell is prokaryotic because it contains mitochondria.
The cell is eukaryotic because it contains ribosomes.
The cell is eukaryotic because it contains mitochondria.

5. The discovery of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) had no effect on which area of scientific investigation?
endosymbiotic theory
inheritance research
forensic science
study of cork bark

6. Which discovery supported the endosymbiotic theory?
DNA in mitochondria
DNA in the cell nucleus
DNA in ribosomes
DNA in the cytoplasm

7. What is the basic unit of structure and function of all living organisms?
mitochondrion
DNA
nucleus
cell

8. Which structure is unique to eukaryotic cells?
DNA
cell membrane
ribosomes
nucleus

9. The endosymbiotic theory helps to explain the origin of which structures?
mitochondria
ribosomes
nuclei
cell membranes

10. Gina is studying a cell under a powerful microscope. The cell does not contain membrane-bound organelles.
Which cell is Gina most likely studying?
an animal cell
a bacterial cell
a plant cell
a protist cell

Answer 1

Here are the answers to the questions:

1. A student wonders whether removing the nucleus from a cell would result in a new prokaryotic cell. Why would this procedure fail to produce a prokaryotic cell?

   • The cell would lack genetic information. (Removing the nucleus would eliminate the cell’s DNA, which is essential for cellular functions.)

2. Which best describes mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)?

   • Mitochondrial DNA can be traced for generations. (Mitochondrial DNA is maternally inherited and can be used to trace lineage.)

3. Which statement is most likely to apply to a cell that has DNA within its cytoplasm?

   • It performs all functions for the organism. (This applies mainly to prokaryotic cells, which perform all functions necessary for life.)

4. A scientist is studying a cell and can clearly see that it has ribosomes and mitochondria. Which statement best describes how the cell could be classified?

   • The cell is eukaryotic because it contains mitochondria. (Mitochondria are characteristic of eukaryotic cells.)

5. The discovery of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) had no effect on which area of scientific investigation?

   • study of cork bark (The study of cork bark is not related to concepts involving mitochondrial DNA, endosymbiosis, or inheritance.)

6. Which discovery supported the endosymbiotic theory?

   • DNA in mitochondria. (The presence of DNA in mitochondria supports the idea that they originated from independent prokaryotic organisms.)

7. What is the basic unit of structure and function of all living organisms?

   • cell. (The cell is the basic unit of life.)

8. Which structure is unique to eukaryotic cells?

   • nucleus. (While DNA and ribosomes are present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, the nucleus is unique to eukaryotic cells.)

9. The endosymbiotic theory helps to explain the origin of which structures?

   • mitochondria. (The theory posits that mitochondria originated from free-living prokaryotes that were engulfed by ancestral eukaryotic cells.)

10. Gina is studying a cell under a powerful microscope. The cell does not contain membrane-bound organelles. Which cell is Gina most likely studying?

    • a bacterial cell. (Bacterial cells are prokaryotic and lack membrane-bound organelles.)