Question

Biomolecule Abundance in Different Cell Types


A. Biomolecule
B. Muscle Cell (%)
C. Liver Cell (%)
D. Plant LeafCell (%)


A. Carbohydrates
B. 1
C. 5
D. 15


A. Lipids
B. 8
C. 5
D. 3


A. Proteins
B. 20
C. 18
D. 8

A. Nucleic Acids
B. 1
C. 2
D. 1

A. Water & Other
B. 70
C. 70
D. 73


Prompt
Anolyze the data table above and respond to the following prompt:
Muscle cells contain significantly more protein than plant leaf cells, while plant leaf cells contain much more carbohydrate than muscle cells. Using the data provided, construct a claim about why these differences exist.
Support your claim with evidence from the table and reasoning that connects the structure and function of each cell type to its biomolecule composition.

Write in a CER In. 6th graders response

Answer 1

Claim:
Muscle cells have more protein than plant leaf cells, and plant leaf cells have more carbohydrates than muscle cells because each cell type needs different molecules to do its job.

Evidence:
- Proteins: Muscle = 20%, Plant leaf = 8% (muscle has much more protein).
- Carbohydrates: Muscle = 1%, Plant leaf = 15% (plant leaf has much more carbohydrate).

Reasoning:
Muscle cells need lots of proteins because proteins (like actin and myosin) are what let muscles contract and move. Having 20% protein helps muscle cells make force and repair themselves. Plant leaf cells do photosynthesis and make sugars, so they have more carbohydrates (15%). Carbohydrates are used for energy, stored as starch, and used to build cell walls (cellulose) in plants. Because plant leaves make and store sugars and build strong cell walls, they have a higher percent of carbohydrates than muscle cells. This shows that the types and amounts of biomolecules match what each cell needs to do.