Question

Distinguish between a. a bacterial cell and a eukaryotic cell. b. interphase and mitosis. c. mitosis and apoptosis. d. rough ER and smooth ER. e. microtubules and microfilaments. f. a stem cell and a progenitor cell. g. totipotent and pluripotent.

Short answer

a. Bacterial cells are prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have a true nucleus and other organelles.\n b. Interphase is the cell's growth phase, whereas, mitosis is the cell division phase. \n c. Mitosis results in two identical cells, apoptosis is programmed cell death. \n d. Rough ER has ribosomes and assists in protein synthesis, Smooth ER lacks ribosomes and assists in lipid synthesis. \n e. Microtubules provide cell shape or support, microfilaments assist in cell movement. \n f. Stem cells can become any cell type while progenitor cells are more specific. \n g. Totipotent cells can become an entire organism or extra-embryonic tissues, Pluripotent cells can't develop into an entire organism or extra-embryonic tissues.

Step-by-step solution

Clarify Terminology: Bacterial cell vs. Eukaryotic cell

Bacterial cells are prokaryotic, meaning they do not have a nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles. In contrast, eukaryotic cells do have a true nucleus and other organelles.

Clarify Terminology: Interphase vs. Mitosis

Interphase is the phase in the cell cycle where the cell grows, duplicates its DNA and prepares for division. Mitosis, on the other hand, is the process of cell division where one cell splits into two identical daughter cells.

Clarify Terminology: Mitosis vs. Apoptosis

Mitosis is the process of cell division, resulting in two identical daughter cells. Apoptosis, however, is the process of programmed cell death, which is the method by which the body naturally disposes of damaged, dangerous, or unneeded cells.

Clarify Terminology: Rough ER vs. Smooth ER

The rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has ribosomes on its surface and is involved in protein synthesis and quality control. In contrast, the smooth ER lacks ribosomes and is involved in processes such as lipid synthesis, detoxification, and carbohydrate metabolism.

Clarify Terminology: Microtubules vs. Microfilaments

Microtubules are thick cylindrical structures that provide shape and support for the cell, as well as aiding in cell division. Microfilaments are thin thread-like structures that are primarily involved in muscular contraction and cellular movement.

Clarify Terminology: Stem cell vs. Progenitor cell

Stem cells are unspecialized cells that have the ability to become any type of cell in the body. Progenitor cells, on the other hand, are more specialized than stem cells and can only become certain types of cells.

Clarify Terminology: Totipotent vs. Pluripotent

Totipotent cells have the ability to develop into any type of cell in the body, including extra-embryonic tissues like the placenta. Pluripotent cells, however, can develop into any cell type in the body, but they can't develop into an entire organism or extra-embryonic tissues.