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Difficulty: Very hardCell Structure and Function

A specialized cell is placed in an experimental chamber containing a solution of radioactive glucose and high concentrations of oxygen. After several hours in complete darkness, a researcher observes that the cell has rapidly consumed the radioactive glucose, producing significant amounts of radioactive carbon dioxide and ATP. Upon microscopic examination, the cell is found to have a rigid outer layer composed of cellulose and a large central sac containing water. Based on these observations, which of the following conclusions about this cell is most accurate?

  1. It is a plant cell utilizing its mitochondria to perform cellular respiration.Answer
  2. B
    It is an animal cell utilizing its mitochondria to perform cellular respiration.
  3. C
    It is a plant cell utilizing its chloroplasts to perform cellular respiration.
  4. D
    It is an animal cell utilizing its chloroplasts to perform photosynthesis.

Answer

It is a plant cell utilizing its mitochondria to perform cellular respiration.
The correct answer accurately synthesizes the structural and functional clues. The presence of a rigid cellulose cell wall and a large central vacuole definitively identifies the specimen as a plant cell. Furthermore, the metabolic process described—consuming glucose and oxygen to yield carbon dioxide and ATP in total darkness—is cellular respiration. In eukaryotic cells, including plant cells, this process is carried out by mitochondria.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structural characteristics provided in the prompt.
The cell has a rigid cellulose cell wall and a large central water sac (vacuole).
Identifying these structural features is necessary to determine if the cell is a plant or animal cell.
2
Determine the cell type based on the structural characteristics.
The cell is a plant cell.
Cellulose cell walls and large central vacuoles are defining characteristics of plant cells, distinguishing them from animal cells.
3
Analyze the metabolic activity occurring in the dark chamber.
The cell is consuming glucose and oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and ATP in the absence of light.
Identifying the inputs (glucose, oxygen) and outputs (carbon dioxide, ATP) is required to determine the cellular process.
4
Identify the cellular process and the organelle responsible.
The process is cellular respiration, which takes place in the mitochondria.
Photosynthesis requires light and produces glucose, whereas cellular respiration breaks down glucose to produce ATP and can occur in the dark. Plant cells possess mitochondria and perform cellular respiration to meet their energy needs.

Key Concept

Plant cells possess both chloroplasts for photosynthesis and mitochondria for cellular respiration, and can be distinguished from animal cells by the presence of a cell wall and a large central vacuole.
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Topics

Cell Structure and Function

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