Living Things Have Cells - Middle School Life Science
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What is the cell theory statement that links cells to the structure of living things?
What is the cell theory statement that links cells to the structure of living things?
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All living things are made of one or more cells. This is the first principle of cell theory, established by Schleiden and Schwann.
All living things are made of one or more cells. This is the first principle of cell theory, established by Schleiden and Schwann.
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What is the correct definition of a cell in life science?
What is the correct definition of a cell in life science?
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The smallest unit of life that carries out life processes. Cells perform all functions necessary for life, from metabolism to reproduction.
The smallest unit of life that carries out life processes. Cells perform all functions necessary for life, from metabolism to reproduction.
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Which tool is most appropriate for collecting evidence that cells exist in a tissue sample?
Which tool is most appropriate for collecting evidence that cells exist in a tissue sample?
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A microscope. Cells are too small to see with the naked eye, requiring magnification.
A microscope. Cells are too small to see with the naked eye, requiring magnification.
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What is the correct order of microscope magnifications from lowest to highest power?
What is the correct order of microscope magnifications from lowest to highest power?
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Scanning, low, high. Scanning (4x) provides overview, low (10x) locates cells, high (40x) shows details.
Scanning, low, high. Scanning (4x) provides overview, low (10x) locates cells, high (40x) shows details.
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Which step should you do first when focusing a microscope to find cells on a slide?
Which step should you do first when focusing a microscope to find cells on a slide?
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Start on lowest power and use the coarse focus knob. Low power gives widest field of view; coarse knob moves stage quickly.
Start on lowest power and use the coarse focus knob. Low power gives widest field of view; coarse knob moves stage quickly.
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What is the independent variable in an investigation comparing plant and animal slides?
What is the independent variable in an investigation comparing plant and animal slides?
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The type of specimen (plant versus animal). Independent variables are what you deliberately change or compare.
The type of specimen (plant versus animal). Independent variables are what you deliberately change or compare.
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What is one controlled variable when comparing cell observations across multiple slides?
What is one controlled variable when comparing cell observations across multiple slides?
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The magnification used. Controlled variables must stay constant to ensure fair comparison.
The magnification used. Controlled variables must stay constant to ensure fair comparison.
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Which observation is the strongest evidence that a sample is living tissue: crystals or cells?
Which observation is the strongest evidence that a sample is living tissue: crystals or cells?
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Cells. Only living things have cells; crystals are non-living mineral structures.
Cells. Only living things have cells; crystals are non-living mineral structures.
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What is the correct conclusion if you observe many repeating, membrane-bounded units in a leaf sample?
What is the correct conclusion if you observe many repeating, membrane-bounded units in a leaf sample?
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The leaf is composed of cells. Membrane-bounded units are cells, confirming the tissue is living.
The leaf is composed of cells. Membrane-bounded units are cells, confirming the tissue is living.
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What structure is present in plant cells but not in typical animal cells and supports evidence of cells?
What structure is present in plant cells but not in typical animal cells and supports evidence of cells?
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A cell wall. Cell walls provide rigid support and protection unique to plants.
A cell wall. Cell walls provide rigid support and protection unique to plants.
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What organelle contains green pigment and is commonly observed in plant cells during investigations?
What organelle contains green pigment and is commonly observed in plant cells during investigations?
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Chloroplast. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll for photosynthesis in plant cells.
Chloroplast. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll for photosynthesis in plant cells.
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What cell structure forms the outer boundary of both plant and animal cells?
What cell structure forms the outer boundary of both plant and animal cells?
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Cell membrane. This flexible barrier controls what enters and exits all cells.
Cell membrane. This flexible barrier controls what enters and exits all cells.
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Which cell structure is commonly visible as a darker, round region in stained animal cells?
Which cell structure is commonly visible as a darker, round region in stained animal cells?
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Nucleus. The nucleus contains DNA and appears dark when stained.
Nucleus. The nucleus contains DNA and appears dark when stained.
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What is the main purpose of staining a microscope slide in a cell investigation?
What is the main purpose of staining a microscope slide in a cell investigation?
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To increase contrast so cell structures are easier to see. Stains bind to cell parts, making transparent structures visible.
To increase contrast so cell structures are easier to see. Stains bind to cell parts, making transparent structures visible.
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Identify the best evidence-based claim if onion cells and cheek cells both show boundaries and nuclei.
Identify the best evidence-based claim if onion cells and cheek cells both show boundaries and nuclei.
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Both plant and animal tissues are made of cells. Observing cells in different organisms supports cell theory universality.
Both plant and animal tissues are made of cells. Observing cells in different organisms supports cell theory universality.
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Which observation best distinguishes a plant cell from a cheek cell in microscope evidence?
Which observation best distinguishes a plant cell from a cheek cell in microscope evidence?
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A rigid cell wall forming box-like shapes. Animal cells lack walls, so they appear round or irregular.
A rigid cell wall forming box-like shapes. Animal cells lack walls, so they appear round or irregular.
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What is the correct term for a group of similar cells working together, often sampled in investigations?
What is the correct term for a group of similar cells working together, often sampled in investigations?
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Tissue. Cells organize into tissues for specialized functions.
Tissue. Cells organize into tissues for specialized functions.
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What is the correct term for a single-celled living thing that can be observed as one cell under a microscope?
What is the correct term for a single-celled living thing that can be observed as one cell under a microscope?
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Unicellular organism. Examples include bacteria and amoebas that live as single cells.
Unicellular organism. Examples include bacteria and amoebas that live as single cells.
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Which investigation result best supports cell theory: all samples show cells or only one sample shows cells?
Which investigation result best supports cell theory: all samples show cells or only one sample shows cells?
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All living samples show cells. Universal presence of cells confirms all life is cellular.
All living samples show cells. Universal presence of cells confirms all life is cellular.
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Identify the dependent variable in an investigation testing whether stain improves cell visibility.
Identify the dependent variable in an investigation testing whether stain improves cell visibility.
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Visibility/contrast of cell structures under the microscope. The dependent variable is what you measure in response to the treatment.
Visibility/contrast of cell structures under the microscope. The dependent variable is what you measure in response to the treatment.
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Find the correct conclusion: You observe no cells at high power; what is the most likely investigation error?
Find the correct conclusion: You observe no cells at high power; what is the most likely investigation error?
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The specimen was not centered/focused at low power first. High power has a narrow field; specimens must be centered at low power first.
The specimen was not centered/focused at low power first. High power has a narrow field; specimens must be centered at low power first.
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What is the best reason to make a wet mount when viewing cells under a light microscope?
What is the best reason to make a wet mount when viewing cells under a light microscope?
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To keep the specimen hydrated and improve viewing clarity. Water prevents drying and helps light pass through the specimen.
To keep the specimen hydrated and improve viewing clarity. Water prevents drying and helps light pass through the specimen.
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Which observation best distinguishes cells from nonliving crystals under a microscope?
Which observation best distinguishes cells from nonliving crystals under a microscope?
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Cells show membrane boundaries and internal structures like nuclei. Living cells have membranes and organelles; crystals lack these features.
Cells show membrane boundaries and internal structures like nuclei. Living cells have membranes and organelles; crystals lack these features.
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What is the correct evidence-based conclusion after observing many similar units with membranes in tissue?
What is the correct evidence-based conclusion after observing many similar units with membranes in tissue?
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The tissue is composed of cells. Repeated membrane-bound units are the defining characteristic of cellular tissue.
The tissue is composed of cells. Repeated membrane-bound units are the defining characteristic of cellular tissue.
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Which practice best ensures a fair test when comparing two microscope slides of different tissues?
Which practice best ensures a fair test when comparing two microscope slides of different tissues?
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Keep magnification and lighting the same for both slides. Controlling variables ensures differences are due to tissue type only.
Keep magnification and lighting the same for both slides. Controlling variables ensures differences are due to tissue type only.
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