Microscopy I

Who discovered tiny compartments in a thin slice of cork using a microscope?

• Robert Hooke

• Anton van Leeuwenhoek

• Rudolf Virchow

• Johannes Kepler

Answer explanation

Robert Hooke discovered tiny compartments in cork, which he called 'cells', while using a microscope. This observation was pivotal in the development of cell theory.

Which organelle is described as the "powerhouse of the cell"?

• Ribosome

• Endoplasmic reticulum

• Golgi apparatus

• Mitochondria

Answer explanation

The mitochondria are known as the "powerhouse of the cell" because they generate ATP, the main energy currency of the cell, through cellular respiration. This distinguishes them from ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus.

Who discovered the nucleus as a constant component of the cell?

• Hermann von Helmholtz

• Rudolf Virchow

• Anton van Leeuwenhoek

• Robert Browne

Answer explanation

Mattias Schleiden, a botanist, contributed to cell theory by identifying the nucleus as a key component of plant cells, establishing its role in cellular structure.

After a series of observations, who concluded that plants and animals are made up of cells?

• Hugo von Mohl and Felix Dujardin

• Theodor Schwann and Matthias Schielden

• Walter Flemming and Pierre Joseph van Beneden

• Camillo Golgi and Albert Von Kölliker

Answer explanation

Theodor Schwann and Matthias Schleiden proposed the cell theory, concluding that all plants and animals are composed of cells, which was a foundational concept in biology.

Which organelle is capable of trapping energy from the sun?

• Mitochondria

• Nucleus

• Chloroplast

• Ribosome

Answer explanation

The chloroplast is the organelle in plant cells that captures sunlight and converts it into chemical energy through photosynthesis, making it essential for energy production in plants.

Which organelle serves as storage tanks for food, water, or wastes in a cell?

• Ribosome

• Vacuole

• Lysosome

• Mitochondria

Answer explanation

The vacuole is the organelle responsible for storing food, water, and waste in a cell. Unlike ribosomes, lysosomes, and mitochondria, which have different functions, vacuoles primarily serve as storage tanks.

Which organelle breaks down cellular wastes and debris in a cell?

• Ribosome

• Vacuole

• Lysosome

• Golgi apparatus

Answer explanation

The lysosome is the organelle responsible for breaking down cellular wastes and debris. It contains enzymes that digest unwanted materials, making it essential for cellular cleanup and recycling.

Which organelle is known as the control center of the cell?

• Mitochondria

• Nucleolus

• Ribosome

• Nucleus

Answer explanation

The nucleus is called the control center of the cell because it houses the cell's genetic material (DNA) and regulates gene expression. It coordinates essential functions such as growth, metabolism, and cell division, making it vital for cellular function.

Why Not the Others:

• * Nucleolus: The nucleolus is located within the nucleus and is primarily involved in synthesizing ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and assembling ribosome subunits. While important for protein synthesis, it does not regulate cellular activities or genetic expression.

• * Mitochondria: Mitochondria are known as the "powerhouses of the cell" because they produce energy (ATP) through cellular respiration. They play a crucial role in energy metabolism but do not control cellular functions or gene expression.

• * Ribosome: Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis, translating messenger RNA (mRNA) into proteins. While essential for building proteins, they do not have any regulatory role over cellular activities or genetic information.

Which organelle is known as the protein factory of the cell?

• Golgi apparatus

• Ribosome

• Endoplasmic reticulum

• Peroxisome

Answer explanation

Ribosomes are known as the protein factories of the cell because they are the sites where proteins are synthesized. They read messenger RNA (mRNA) and translate its instructions into amino acid sequences, forming proteins that are essential for various cellular functions

Which structure stores the genes that determine hereditary information?

• Nucleus

• Ribosome

• Chromosome

• Mitochondria

Answer explanation

Chromosomes are structures within the cell that contain DNA, which holds the genes responsible for hereditary information. Each chromosome is made up of tightly coiled DNA that encodes genetic instructions essential for the development, functioning, and reproduction of living organisms.