(MODEL ANSWERS) BB101 Quiz 2: 2 marks, 15 minutes
Instructions:
• Each answer is worth 0.5 marks and there will be no partial marks (we cannot slice and dice
into tiny fractions)
• Because there are no partial marks, you need to think carefully and answer in only the given
space; we will not read anything outside that space.
• Because there are no partial marks, you need to keep your answers short and to-the-point.
• Have fun!
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Qs. 1) You want to calculate the number of cells in a model system called C. elegans, which is a
worm. The weight of 1 C. elegans worm is 10-2 milligram. How many cells in the worm? Assume that,
similar to humans, 100 kg corresponds to 1013 cells. You can ask your TA to show you the slide with
the calculations for humans.
Ans. Request the TAs to do this calculation and add here. Answer should be 1000.
100 kg = 1013 cells
1 gm = 1013/(100 x 103) cells = 108 cells
10-2 mg = 108 x 10-2 x 10-3 cells = 103 cells
FYI: Under the microscope, scientists can count the number of cells in C. elegans as it is transparent.
There are exactly 1031 somatic cells in this worm.
Qs. 2) You read about the structure of the nucleus from humans and find out it resembles a geodesic
dome (read about this later, if you are interested). Which of the two organisms, E. coli or S.
cerevisiae, will you use as your model system for this research? You can ask your TA to show you the
slide with model systems. Explain your answer briefly.
Ans. I would choose S. cerevisiae or baker’s yeast because it is a eukaryote and has a nucleus. E. coli
does not have a nucleus, being a prokaryote and so it would not be a good model system for my
research.
Qs. 3) You are doing research on rod-shaped bacteria. You find some of the bacteria spontaneously
make filaments, shown below.
Propose one way (other than fusion of cells) by which this could happen.
Ans. The bacteria divide, but the cells do not separate.
Qs. 4) You do more research on these rod-shaped bacteria and find that individual bacteria (not the
filaments) can enter into human cells and move around in a non-random manner on what appear to
be tracks. Which of the cell organelles/structures form such tracks?
A) Nucleus
B) Golgi
C) Mitochondrion
D) Microtubules
