Tutorial 1 Answers

ENCH 535/619 Tutorial 2
Figure 1
Figure 2
1. What type of cell/organism is shown in the first image, how about the second?
2. Label the following structures in the first image and provide a brief description of their function:
i) A: Nucleus
ii) B: plasma membrane
iii) C: mitochondria
iv) D: endoplasmic reticulum
v) E: Cytoplasm
3. Label the following structures in the second image and provide a brief description of their function:
i) A: Nucleoid / chromosome
ii) B: Cell wall
iii) C: Flagella
iv) D: Pilli
5. Label the following kingdoms of life as either Prokaryotic or Eukaryotic. Prokaryotic cells include
bacteria and archaea. Eukaryotic cells include protists, fungi, plants and animals
i) Bacteria
ii) Archaea
iii) Protozoa
iv) Plantae
v) Fungi
vi) Animalia
Describe the similarities and differences between Prokaryotic cells and Eukaryotic cells in the following
aspects:
i) DNA:
a. Genetic code used
b. How is DNA stored and protected?
c. How much DNA do each have respectively?
d. Presence of Chromosomes
All life on earth has genetic information encoded in DNA using identical genetic code. Eukaryotes have a
nucleus; a region bound by a complex membranous structure called the nuclear envelope. Prokaryotes
have a Nucleoid region; a poorly defined region of the cell that contains the tangled up genetic material.
Prokaryotic cells contain relatively small amounts of DNA 600,000 to 8 million BP encoding from 500 to
several thousand proteins, most eukaryotes have considerably more genetic material. Both prokaryotic
and eukaryotic cells have DNA containing chromosomes. Eukaryotes contain a number of separate
chromosomes, each containing a single linear molecule of DNA. Nearly all mammals are diploid meaning
they have 2 copies of each chromosome. Humans have 23 unique chromosomes with a copy from mom
and dad for a total of 46. Nearly all prokaryotes are haploid containing a single circular chromosome.
Chromosomal DNA in Eukaryotes is tightly associated with histone proteins to form complex
nucleoprotein material known as chromatin, prokaryotic DNA just kinda chills.
ii) Plasma membrane and Cell wall

a. How is the plasma membrane similar/different in composition and function between
the two?
b. How many plasma membranes are present in each type?
c. Which cells have cell walls, and which do not? How are these cell walls different?
The plasma membrane is generally very similar in composition and function between prokaryotes and
eukaryotes. In both cases the plasma membrane provides a semipermeable membrane for the transfer
of nutrients and wastes in and out of the cell. In Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes, the membrane is
composed of a phospholipid bilayer whereas some archaea have a lipid monolayer. Eukaryotic cells have
just 1 plasma membrane whereas gram negative bacteria have 2 (inner and outer) (gram positive just
have 1 too). In terms of eukaryotic cells, mammalian cells do not have cell walls whereas plants, fungi,
and algae do. The defining component of plant cell walls is cellulose. The defining component of
bacterial cell walls is peptidoglycan.
iii) Cytoplasm
a. Structures present in the cytoplasm
i. List membrane bound structues
ii. List unbound structures
Cytoplasm in eukaryotes fill with a diversity of structures including membrane bound organelles:
- Mitochondria the powerhouse of the cell

- Endoplasmic reticulum: where proteins are made/modified and many lipids are manufactured
- Golgi complex: where materials are sorted, modified and transported to specific cellular
destinations
- Chloroplasts and vacuoles in plants
- Various lysosomes and vesicles.
Organelles divide the cytoplasm into compartments where specialized activities can take place. The
cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells is essentially devoid of membranous structures (the complex
photosynthetic membranes of cyanobacteria are the major exception to this generalization). Eukaryotic
cells also have additional structures lacking a surrounding membrane known as the cytoskeleton. These
tubules and filaments aid in performing cellular contractility, movement, and support.
Both Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes have ribosomes which are non-membranous ribosomal RNA and
protein complexes (ribozymes) which produce proteins in the cell.
- Both prokaryote and eukaryote ribosomes are composed of two subunits (the large and small
subunit) that form a complex with mRNA.
- The large and small subunits are named after velocity of their sedimentation when centrifuged.
The unit used to measure sedimentation is the Svedberg named after the inventor of the
ultracentrifuge. The larger the S value the faster the sedimentation velocity and therefore the
larger the molecule. In bacterial the large subunit is known as the 50S subunit and the small
subunit is called the 30S subunit. Together they form the prokaryotic 70S ribosome. Note: 70 is
less than 50+30, this is because sedimentation velocity is determined by shape and size not just
mass. The eukaryotic ribosome is larger composed of the 60S and 40S subunits which together
form the 80S ribosome.
Bonus Summary
Features of eukaryotic cells not found in prokaryotes
- Division of cell into nucleus and cytoplasm, separated by a nuclear envelope containing nuclear
pores
- Complex chromosomes
- Complex membranous cytoplasmic organelles
- Complex cytoskeletal system
- Ability to perform endocytosis and phagocytosis
- Cellulose-containing cell walls (in plants), peptidoglycan containing cell walls in bacteria
- Presence of two copies of each gene per cell (diploidy) (one from each parent)
Features in common:
- DNA as genetic code

- Plasma membrane of similar construction
- Similar mechanism for transcription and translation of genetic material (such as ribosomes)
- Shared metabolic pathways (glycolysis, TCA)

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ENCH 535/619 Tutorial 2

ii) B: plasma membrane

iv) D: endoplasmic reticulum

ii) B: Cell wall

ii) Plasma membrane and Cell wall

- Mitochondria the powerhouse of the cell

Features of eukaryotic cells not found in prokaryotes

- DNA as genetic code

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