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In three to five sentences, explain why animal cells do not require a cell wall or a central vacuole for their functions.(4 points)

Animal cells have a flexible and dynamic cell membrane, which serves as a protective barrier and a gateway for nutrients and waste. Therefore, a cell wall is unnecessary for structural support. Additionally, animal cells have multiple small vacuoles that perform specialized functions, instead of a single large central vacuole like in plant cells. These small vacuoles store and transport molecules, maintain cell shape, and provide structural support to different organelles.

In three to five sentences, compare the process of digesting food in an amoeba (unicellular) to those in a mouse (multicellular) .(4 points)

In an amoeba, the process of digestion involves engulfing food particles, forming a food vacuole, and breaking down these particles with lysosomal enzymes. The nutrients are then absorbed and utilized by the cell for energy and growth.

In a mouse, the process of digestion is more complex and involves various organs such as the mouth, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. The food is mechanically broken down in the mouth and chemically digested in the stomach and small intestine with the help of digestive enzymes secreted by different organs. The nutrients are then absorbed by the small intestine and transported to various parts of the body through the bloodstream.

Animal cells do not require a cell wall because their primary mode of support comes from their cytoskeleton, which is made up of protein filaments. The absence of a cell wall also allows animal cells to be more flexible and dynamic, enabling them to change shape and move effectively. Unlike plant cells, animal cells do not need a central vacuole for storage or maintaining turgor pressure because they obtain nutrients from their immediate environment and have specialized organelles, such as lysosomes and peroxisomes, to carry out specific functions like storage and waste processing.

Animal cells do not require a cell wall because their structure and support are provided by the extracellular matrix, which is a complex network of proteins and other molecules outside the cell membrane. This allows animal cells to be more flexible and capable of changing shape, which is important for various cellular processes such as cell movement and tissue formation. Additionally, animal cells lack a central vacuole because their main storage function is carried out by smaller vacuoles, such as lysosomes and secretory vesicles, which are dispersed throughout the cytoplasm. These smaller vacuoles allow animal cells to store and transport materials more efficiently.