Chloroplasts play an important role in energy production in plant cells. However, some parts of a plant, like the roots, lack chloroplasts. In one to two sentences, explain the most likely pathway for root cells to obtain energy, and identify the organelles involved...

7 answers

Root cells primarily obtain energy through the process of cellular respiration, which occurs in the mitochondria. They typically rely on carbohydrates, such as glucose, obtained from the photosynthesis of chloroplast-containing parts of the plant, which are then transported to the roots for energy production.

In three to five sentences, explain why animal cells do not require a cell wall or a central vacuole for their functions.

Animal cells do not require a cell wall because they are supported by a flexible plasma membrane that allows for a greater range of movement, shape change, and interaction with other cells. The absence of a rigid cell wall enables animal cells to develop specialized structures like muscle cells and neurons, which rely on flexibility and communication. Additionally, animal cells do not have a large central vacuole, as they obtain nutrients from their environment directly and store them in smaller vesicles, allowing for more complex intracellular dynamics and metabolic processes. This adaptability aids in the diverse functionality and mobility of animal cells.

In three to five sentences, compare the process of digesting food in an amoeba (unicellular) to those in a mouse (multicellular)

In an amoeba, food digestion occurs through a process called phagocytosis, where the organism engulfs food particles by surrounding them with its cell membrane, forming a food vacuole that later fuses with lysosomes to break down the food using enzymes. In contrast, a mouse, as a multicellular organism, has a complex digestive system involving specialized organs such as the stomach and intestines, where food is mechanically and chemically processed with the help of enzymes secreted by glands and the digestive tract lining. While the amoeba digests food at a cellular level, the mouse relies on a coordinated system of organs and tissues to handle digestion, absorption, and nutrient distribution throughout its body. This complexity allows mice to process larger quantities of food more efficiently and to extract nutrients necessary for their growth and energy needs.

shorter

Amoebas digest food through phagocytosis, engulfing food particles with their cell membrane to form a food vacuole that fuses with lysosomes for enzymatic breakdown. In contrast, mice utilize a complex digestive system with specialized organs like the stomach and intestines that mechanically and chemically process food, allowing for efficient nutrient absorption and distribution throughout the body. This difference highlights the amoeba's unicellular digestion compared to the coordinated system in multicellular organisms like mice.