Cell Structures Quick Check
4 of 54 of 5 Items
Question
Using your understanding of the function of chloroplasts and specialized cells, infer why plant root cells lack chloroplasts.(1 point)
Responses
Roots are underground and are not exposed to sunlight.
Roots are underground and are not exposed to sunlight.
Root cells have many mitochondria.
Root cells have many mitochondria.
Roots require fewer nutrients.
Roots require fewer nutrients.
Root cells have two central vacuoles.
Root cells have two central vacuoles.
What is the main difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?(1 point)
Responses
Prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles.
Prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles.
Prokaryotes use RNA instead of DNA.
Prokaryotes use RNA instead of DNA.
Prokaryotes lack ribosomes to make proteins.
Prokaryotes lack ribosomes to make proteins.
Prokaryotes lack a cell membrane on the outside.
Prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles.
The correct response for why plant root cells lack chloroplasts is:
Roots are underground and are not exposed to sunlight.
To infer why plant root cells lack chloroplasts, we need to consider the function of chloroplasts and the characteristics of root cells.
Chloroplasts are specialized organelles found in plant cells responsible for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy to make their own food. They contain chlorophyll, a pigment that captures sunlight.
Root cells, on the other hand, are specialized for the function of absorbing water and nutrients from the soil. They are typically located underground, where there is limited sunlight.
Based on this information, we can infer that plant root cells lack chloroplasts because they are underground and not exposed to sunlight. Chloroplasts need sunlight to carry out photosynthesis effectively, but since there is limited sunlight underground, it is not necessary for root cells to have chloroplasts.