The Fundamental Unit of Life

What do we observe as we look through the lens of the microscope after preparing the onion peel slide as described in Activity 5.1? Can we draw the structures that we are able to see through the microscope, on an observation sheet? Does it look like Fig. 5.2?

• We observe rectangular cells arranged in a pattern, and we can draw these structures which look like Fig. 5.2.

• We observe circular cells with no clear arrangement, and the drawing does not resemble Fig. 5.2.

• We observe only a blank field with no visible structures, and nothing can be drawn.

• We observe colored dots scattered randomly, and the drawing looks very different from Fig. 5.2.

All cells look alike in structure.

• Yes, all cells look alike in structure.

• No, all cells do not look alike in structure.

• All cells are identical in every organism.

• Cells have no structural differences.

We could find differences among cells from different parts of a plant body.

• Yes, there are differences among cells from different parts of a plant body.

• No, all cells from different parts of a plant body are identical.

• Cells from different parts of a plant body have the same function and structure.

• Cells from different parts of a plant body cannot be compared.

What similarities could we find?

• We could find features that are alike.

• We could find differences between objects.

• We could find only unique characteristics.

• We could find unrelated items.

Who first discovered cells and in which year?

Which scientist discovered the nucleus in the cell?

Who coined the term 'protoplasm' for the fluid substance of the cell?

Which two biologists presented the cell theory that all plants and animals are composed of cells and that the cell is the basic unit of life?

Look at the following picture. It depicts some cells from the human body. Which of the following is NOT a type of cell shown in the diagram?

• Nerve cell

• Blood cell

• Plant cell

• Fat cell

All cells in multicellular organisms come from pre-existing cells.

• True

• False