Exploring Life

What are living things made of?

• Atoms

• Cells

• Air

• Rocks

Answer explanation

Living things are primarily made of cells, which are the basic units of life. While atoms are the building blocks of cells, the question specifically asks about living organisms, making 'cells' the correct answer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-1

What tool did Robert Hooke use to discover cells?

• A magnifying glass

• A hand lens

• A microscope

• A telescope

Answer explanation

Robert Hooke used a microscope to discover cells in cork. This tool allowed him to see the tiny structures that he named 'cells', marking a significant advancement in biology.

What did Robert Hooke call the small openings he saw in cork?

• Holes

• Boxes

• Cells

• Bubbles

Answer explanation

Robert Hooke observed small openings in cork and named them 'cells' because they resembled the small rooms or 'cells' that monks lived in. This term laid the foundation for cell theory in biology.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-1

Which option is a principle of the cell theory?

• All living things are made of one or more cells.

• All cells are the same size.

• Cells never die.

• Cells are made of atoms.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'All living things are made of one or more cells,' is a fundamental principle of cell theory, which states that cells are the basic unit of life. The other options are incorrect or not principles of cell theory.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-1

What is a unicellular organism?

• An organism with one cell

• An organism with many cells

• A plant with flowers

• A type of bacteria

Answer explanation

A unicellular organism is defined as an organism made up of a single cell. This distinguishes it from multicellular organisms, which consist of many cells. Therefore, the correct answer is 'An organism with one cell'.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-1

What is homeostasis?

• A process where cells grow and develop

• The ability to maintain steady internal conditions

• The process of reproducing new cells

• How cells get rid of waste

Answer explanation

Homeostasis is the ability to maintain steady internal conditions despite external changes. This is crucial for the survival of organisms, making the correct choice "The ability to maintain steady internal conditions."

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-2

Which microscope uses a beam of electrons to study small objects?

• Light microscope

• Electron microscope

• Magnifying glass

• Transmission microscope

Answer explanation

The electron microscope uses a beam of electrons to achieve high-resolution imaging of small objects, unlike light microscopes that use visible light. This makes the electron microscope the correct choice for studying tiny structures.

Which type of cell has no nucleus?

• Eukaryotic

• Prokaryotic

• Animal cell

• Plant cell

Answer explanation

Prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria, lack a nucleus, while eukaryotic cells (including animal and plant cells) have a defined nucleus. Therefore, the correct answer is prokaryotic.

Which of the following is NOT part of the cell theory?

• All living things are made of one or more cells.

• Cells are the smallest units of life.

• Cells can only survive in multicellular organisms.

• All new cells come from existing cells.

Answer explanation

The statement 'Cells can only survive in multicellular organisms' is incorrect. Cells can exist independently, as seen in unicellular organisms like bacteria, making this option not part of the cell theory.

What do organelles do in eukaryotic cells?

• Protect the cell from the environment

• Help the cell perform specific jobs like making energy or removing waste

• Transport the cell to different locations

• Produce food for other cells

Answer explanation

Organelles in eukaryotic cells perform specific functions essential for cell survival, such as energy production and waste removal, making the correct choice about their role in cellular processes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-2