Cell Structure POGIL Name: ______

POGIL Biology VI– Fine Structure of the Eukaryotic Cell

There are many, many eukaryotic organisms on earth, and the early eukaryotic cells have evolved into a varied cell types. Most of them have the same basic constitution – mitochondria, nucleus containing linear chromosomes, ribosomes, cytoskeleton, and endomembrane system. This exercise will familiarize you with the fine structure of the eukaryotic cell using animal and plant cells as conceptual models. Using the diagrams below, your textbook, and your note set, answer the following questions.

Model 1 - the nucleus

Model 2 - Cytoskeletal elements

1.  Using model 1 above, describe the structure and function of the chromatin.

2.  In model 1, describe the structure and function of the nuclear lamina.

3.  In model 1, how might molecules move in and out of the nucleus

4.  Would you expect any size constraints on the molecules that move in and out of the nucleus? Why or why not?

5.  Where in the cell does rough endoplasmic reticulum occur? What is its physical relationship with the nucleus?

6.  Model 1 shows ribosomes on the endoplasmic reticulum. Where else in the eukaryotic cell do ribosomes occur?

7.  Where does the Golgi apparatus occur? Explain the functional relationship between the ribosome, the ER, the Golgi, and the plasma membrane.

8.  In model 2, explain how the cytoskeletal components interact physically and functionally with other parts of the eukaryotic cell (cell membrane, ER, Golgi, nucleus, chromosomes, extra-cellular matrix).

9.  In model 2, which cytoskeletal filaments can be involved with movement of a cell through its environment (motility)? Name any involved structures.

10.  Using your book and notes as resources, compare the chemical composition, structure and function of the extracellular matrix of the animal cell (p. 67) with that of the cell wall of the plant cell (p. 68), and the cell wall of a bacterial cell (p. 321).

11.  An anti-cancer drug called vincristine disrupts microtublules. Using your book and notes as resources, which aspects of eukaryotic cellular function would you expect to be affected by vincristine? Prokaryotic?

12.  Prokaryotic cells do not appear to have extensive cytoskeletons. Offer two reasons why we do not observe cytoskeletons in the prokaryote.

Modified from http://www.eou.edu/~jcorsini