4

CELL STRUCTURE AND

FUNCTION
Responses to Data Analysis Activities
1. As shown in Figure 4.25, dynein is the motor protein that is responsible for
imparting mobility on the eukaryotic flagella. For individuals with Kartagener
syndrome, the abnormal dynein would result in immobile (or poorly mobile)
sperm. The males would be infertile unless their sperm was injected into the
egg, thus eliminating the need for sperm mobility.

Possible Responses to Critical Thinking Questions

1. The idea of a gigantic cell of any kind, or a gigantic creature of any kind, has
fascinated Hollywood movie-makers for decades. Movie-goers love this sort of
thing. But wet-blanket scientists have to spoil the fun by pointing out the
impossibility of gigantic cells based on that surface-to-volume ratio thing.
Simply put, a huge cell would have so much volume that the distance from the
deepest reaches of the interior of the cell would be too far for nutrients and
oxygen to diffuse in, and carbon dioxide and metabolic waste to diffuse out, not
to mention the woefully inadequate surface area for all that diffusion to take
place. There are additional complications of why such a large single-celled
organism would want to consume starships and planets.

2. Secondary cell walls are composed of structurally rigid material such as lignin.
Secondary walls have low permeability compared with primary walls and
therefore form on the inside of primary cell walls. This organization prevents
the secondary wall from impeding the passage of necessary molecules through
primary cell walls. Perforations through the secondary wall called pits facilitate
molecule passage.

Cell Structure and Function

3. The presence of a nucleus strongly suggests that the organism is a eukaryote
(most likely a protist). In addition to the nucleus, other organelles present
include a flagellum, chloroplasts and the plasma membrane.