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General Biology 1 Week 3
General Biology 1 Week 3
GENERAL BIOLOGY 1
CELL MODIFICATION
WEEK 3
I. Learning Competency:
• Describe some cell modifications that lead to adaptation to carry out specialized functions (e.g.,
Cells do not look the same. They often have lots in common and similar organelles, but there are
hundreds of specialized cells, all of which have adaptations that allow it to effectively function. The
following are examples of cell modifications in bacteria, animals and plants. Let’s explore more about it.
1. SPORES
• Bacteria have several mechanisms that help them survive environmental challenges such as lack
of water, extreme temperature change, and lack of nutrients. When environmental conditions are
harsh, some types of bacteria produce a structure called endospore. The bacteria that cause
anthrax and tetanus are examples of endospore producers. An endospore can be thought of as a
dormant cell.
• Endospores are resistant to extreme heat, extreme cold, dehydration, and large amount of
ultraviolet radiation.
• Spore formation is a special modification in bacteria, particularly as a defense mechanism to
heat, high pressure, and stress.
• Spores are also highly resistant to many chemicals, including most disinfectants.
• Spores can survive for many years in soil and other inanimate objects.
• The spore will transform into a new organism once exposed to a more favorable environment.
Spores usually contain 30% water and do not exhibit measurable metabolic activity.
Figure 2. Paramecium
• Flagella are long whip-like filamentous structures or tail-like projections present in bacteria,
archaea, and eukaryotes, though they are most commonly found in bacteria. Sperm cells in many
species (including humans) contain a prominent flagellum in order to swim through the vagina
or to facilitate sperm motility. Flagella serve for the propulsion of single cells (swimming of
protozoa and spermatozoa).
• Flagella helps prokaryotes move toward the light, higher oxygen concentration, or chemicals
such as sugar or amino acids that they need to survive. They are fewer in number. Few
eukaryotes use flagellum to increase reproduction rates.
Typically, a cell has one or two flagella.
Flagellum
Figure 3. Euglena
3. PILI
• Pili (singular, pilus) are submicroscopic, hairlike structures made of proteins that can help a
bacterial cell attach to environmental surfaces and act as a bridge between cells. Copies of
plasmids can be sent across the bridge, thus providing some prokaryotes with new genetic
characteristics. This is one way of transferring the resistance to antibiotics.
• Pili are modifications that enable bacteria to adhere to tissue surfaces and invasion of host cells.
They can have a role in movement but more often involved in adherence to surfaces which
facilitates infection and is a key virulence characteristic.
Example: bacteria inside the human intestine may produce pili in order to adhere to the host's
cells.
Figure 4. Bacterial cell
Actin
Myosin
8. Microvilli
• Microvilli (singular: microvillus) are microscopic cellular membrane protrusions that increase
the surface area of cells for absorption.
• Thousands of microvilli form a structure called the brush border that is found on the apical
surface of some epithelial cells, like those in small intestine.
Epithelial cells
Microvili
Avissar, Yael, Belardo, Giselle Millete M., Desaix Jean, Jurukovski, Wise Robert, Rye Connie. General
Biology 2 1st Edition. Vibal Group Inc.1253G. Araneta Venue, Quezon City.
Mañosa, Susan D., Suyom, Lani M. Breaking Through General Biology 2 for Senior High School C& E
Publishing Inc.Quezon City.
IV. Activity 1: Match Me
Direction: Match the words in Box A with the functions in Box B. Write your answer the space
before the number.
BOX A
A. Actin and myosin B. Axons C. Dendrites D. Cilia E. Enucleated red blood cell
F. Flagella G. Pili H. Microvilli I. Root hairs J. Spores
BOX B
_________1. Hemoglobin-containing, disc-shaped that transports oxygen to the body cells.
_________2. Hair-like structure made of proteins that enable bacteria to adhere to tissue surfaces.
_________3. Cell membrane extensions of an epithelial cell that increase the surface area of cells.
_________4. Thin neuron branch that receives neural messages from other neurons and conduct the
impulses to the cell body.
_________5. Whip-like structure that aid for the propulsion of single cells (facilitates sperm motility).
_________6. Help in the survival of the organisms during adverse environmental conditions (heat, high
pressure, and stress).
_________7. Filaments of protein that permit the muscle to contract and elongate for organism activity.
_________8. A neuron extension that transmits messages away from the cell body and toward another
cell.
_________9. Tiny hair-like structures that increase the area available for water absorption and that of
minerals and other nutrients.
_________10. Hair-like projections that can also move an egg cell through the female reproductive tract.
ACTIVITY 2: Directions: Read each statement carefully. Write the letter of the of the best answer.
2. Which of the following allows the efficient extraction of nutrients from food?
A. Red Blood Cells (RBC) B. microvillus C. amoeba D. euglena
9. Which statement best describes the structures of root hair cell which is adapted for water uptake?
A. large surface area B. membrane-bound organelle C. many mitochondria D. thick walls
10. Which of the following characteristics is/are shared by euglena and paramecium? I.
Both are structures that extend from the body of a variety of cells.
II. Both are structures used for locomotion.
III. Both are non-motile prokaryotes.
IV. Both are heterotrophs with restricted mobility.
A. I only B. II only C. I and II D. I and IV
Prepared by:
In this activity, you will need 8.5” x 11” white cartolina/paper, markers or colored pencils, scissors,
and textbooks/reading materials.
STEP 1. Fold a vertical sheet of paper from side to side. Make the front
edge about 2 cm shorter than the back edge.
STEP 2. Turn lengthwise and fold into thirds.
STEP 3. Unfold and cut only the top layer along both folds to make
three tabs. Label each tab.
STEP 4. Draw each of the specialized cells on the front of the tab as it is closed down.
STEP 5. On the back of the tab, write the function of the specialized cell. STEP
6. Indicate your name on the last tab on the front.
Cell Modification Foldable Rubric