1What is the key difference in complexity between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
Prokaryotic cells are smaller and simpler than eukaryotic cells.
2What are examples of prokaryotic cells?
Bacteria are examples of prokaryotic cells.
3Do prokaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles?
No, prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles.
4What is contained within the cytoplasm of a prokaryotic cell?
It contains ribosomes and the main loop of DNA.
5What is the function of the plasma membrane in a prokaryotic cell?
The plasma membrane controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell.
6What is the role of the cell wall in prokaryotic cells?
The cell wall provides structure and prevents the cell from changing shape.
7What is murein, and where is it found?
Murein is a glycoprotein that makes up the cell wall in prokaryotic cells.
8What is a flagellum (plural: flagella) in prokaryotic cells?
The flagellum is a long, hair-like structure that helps move the cell by rotating.
9Do all prokaryotic cells have flagella?
No, only some prokaryotic cells have flagella.
10What are plasmids, and what is their function?
Plasmids are small loops of DNA that contain genes which can be beneficial, such as antibiotic resistance genes.
11How many plasmids can prokaryotic cells have?
Prokaryotic cells can have several plasmids, which vary in number.
12What is the function of a capsule in some prokaryotic cells?
The capsule helps protect bacteria from attacks by cells of the immune system.
13What is the main genetic material in prokaryotic cells?
Most prokaryotes have a single, circular loop of DNA.
14How is prokaryotic DNA different from eukaryotic DNA?
Prokaryotic DNA is circular and not attached to histone proteins, unlike eukaryotic DNA.
15Are viruses considered living cells?
No, viruses are not alive and are considered acellular.
16What makes viruses different from bacteria in terms of structure?
Viruses are much smaller than bacteria and lack organelles, cytoplasm, or a cell membrane.
17Can viruses reproduce independently?
No, viruses cannot reproduce on their own; they need a host cell to replicate.
18What genetic material do viruses contain?
Viruses contain either DNA or RNA as their genetic material.
19What surrounds the genetic material of a virus?
The genetic material is surrounded by a protein coat called a capsid.
20What are attachment proteins, and what do they do?
Attachment proteins stick out from the virus capsid, allowing the virus to bind to and enter a suitable host cell.
21What is binary fission?
Binary fission is the process by which a prokaryotic cell replicates its genetic material and splits into two daughter cells.
22What is the first step in binary fission?
The circular DNA and any plasmids replicate. The main DNA loop is only replicated once, but plasmids may be replicated multiple times.
23What happens after the DNA replicates in binary fission?
The cell gets bigger, and the DNA loops move to opposite poles of the cell.
24What occurs after the cell enlarges and DNA moves to the poles?
The cytoplasm begins to divide, and new cell walls start to form.
25What is the final result of binary fission?
The cytoplasm fully divides, creating two daughter cells, each with a copy of the main circular DNA and varying numbers of plasmid copies.
26How do viruses attach to host cells?
Viruses use their attachment proteins to bind to complementary receptor proteins on the surface of host cells.
27Why do different viruses infect different types of cells?
Different viruses have specific attachment proteins that match specific receptor proteins on certain host cells.
28How do viruses replicate if they aren’t alive?
Viruses inject their genetic material into a host cell and use the host cell's machinery to replicate and produce viral particles.
29What cellular machinery do viruses rely on in host cells?
Viruses rely on the host cell’s enzymes, ribosomes, and other organelles to make viral proteins and replicate the viral genome.
30Why don’t viruses undergo cell division?
Viruses lack the structures and functions needed for cell division; instead, they hijack host cells to replicate.
31What is the main difference in cell structure between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while prokaryotic cells do not.
32How is the genetic material organized differently in prokaryotes and viruses?
Prokaryotes have circular DNA, whereas viruses have either DNA or RNA within a protein coat.
33How does replication differ between prokaryotic cells and viruses?
Prokaryotic cells replicate through binary fission, while viruses use host cells to replicate by inserting their genetic material.
34What do prokaryotic cells have that viruses lack?
Prokaryotic cells have cytoplasm, a plasma membrane, ribosomes, and DNA. Viruses lack all of these structures and rely on a host cell.