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Ch. 3 The Cellular Level of Organization
Martini - Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology 11th Edition
Martini, Nath, Bartholomew11th EditionFundamentals of Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136874089Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksMartini, Nath, Bartholomew 11th EditionCh. 3 The Cellular Level of OrganizationProblem 23
Chapter 3, Problem 23

If a cell lacked ribosomes, it would not be able to
(a) Move
(b) Synthesize proteins
(c) Produce DNA
(d) Metabolize sugar
(e) Divide

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1
Understand the function of ribosomes in a cell: Ribosomes are the cellular structures responsible for synthesizing proteins by translating messenger RNA (mRNA) into polypeptide chains.
Analyze each option in relation to ribosome function: (a) Movement is generally related to structures like the cytoskeleton and motor proteins, not directly ribosomes.
(b) Protein synthesis directly depends on ribosomes, as they are the sites where amino acids are assembled into proteins.
(c) DNA production (replication) occurs in the nucleus and involves enzymes like DNA polymerase, not ribosomes.
(d) Sugar metabolism involves enzymes and pathways like glycolysis, which are not directly dependent on ribosomes, though enzymes themselves are proteins made by ribosomes.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Ribosomes and Protein Synthesis

Ribosomes are cellular structures responsible for synthesizing proteins by translating messenger RNA into amino acid chains. Without ribosomes, a cell cannot produce proteins, which are essential for various cellular functions and structures.
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Ribosomes

Role of Proteins in Cell Function

Proteins serve as enzymes, structural components, and signaling molecules within cells. They enable processes like movement, metabolism, and cell division. Lack of protein synthesis disrupts these vital activities, impairing cell function.
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Cell Junctions

Distinction Between DNA Production and Protein Synthesis

DNA production (replication) occurs in the nucleus and involves enzymes like DNA polymerase, not ribosomes. Ribosomes specifically translate RNA into proteins, so absence of ribosomes affects protein synthesis but not DNA replication.
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Components of DNA Replication
Related Practice
Textbook Question

List the stages of mitosis, and briefly describe the events that occur in each.

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Textbook Question

How many amino acids are coded in the DNA segment:

CTC–ATA–CGA–TTC–AAG–TTA?

(a) 18

(b) 9

(c) 6

(d) 3

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Textbook Question

(a) What is cytokinesis?

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Textbook Question

List, in sequence, the phases of the interphase stage of the cell life cycle, and briefly describe what happens in each.

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Textbook Question

The sodium–potassium exchange pump

(a) Is an example of facilitated diffusion

(b) Does not require the input of cellular energy in the form of ATP

(c) Moves the sodium and potassium ions along their concentration gradients

(d) Is composed of a carrier protein located in the plasma membrane

(e) Is not necessary for the maintenance of homeostasis

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Textbook Question

Suppose that a DNA segment has the following nucleotide sequence:

CTC–ATA–CGA–TTC–AAG–TTA.

Which nucleotide sequences would a complementary mRNA strand have?

(a) GAG–UAU–GAU–AAC–UUG–AAU

(b) GAG–TAT–GCT–AAG–TTC–AAT

(c) GAG–UAU–GCU–AAG–UUC–AAU

(d) GUG–UAU–GGA–UUG–AAC–GGU

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