Question

In studying micrographs of an unusual protist that you found in a sample of pond water, you spot an organelle that you can't recognize. You successfully develop a method for growing this organism in a liquid in the laboratory. Describe how you would go about finding out what this organelle is and what it does in the cells. Assume that you would make use of additional microscopy, cell tionation, and biochemical tests.

Answer 1

To identify an unknown organelle in a protist, one would use microscopy to observe its structure, cell fractionation to isolate it, and biochemical tests to determine its function, comparing it to known organelles like mitochondria or lysosomes for clues.

Step-by-step explanation:

Investigating the Unknown Organelle in Eukaryotic Cells

To determine the identity and function of an unrecognized organelle in a protist, one would use a combination of microscopy techniques, cell fractionation, and biochemical tests. Initially, one might use a light microscope to observe the general structure and motion of the organelle within the cell. Given that organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts have distinguishable features and functions, comparing the unknown organelle to these could provide initial clues to its identity.

Cell fractionation would allow for the isolation of the organelle from the rest of the cellular components. Once isolated, various biochemical tests can be conducted to determine the organelle's function. For example, if the unknown organelle were involved in energy metabolism, like mitochondria, assays that detect ATP production or other metabolic activities could be telling. Similarly, if the organelle had a role similar to a lysosome, enzymes that digest proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids might be found. Further experimentation could investigate whether the organelle is involved in processes like osmoregulation, similar to contractile vacuoles, or whether it represents an evolutionary adaptation, such as kinetoplastids or hydrogenosomes in certain protozoans.

Detailed observations and documentation during experiments can reveal interactions between organelles and their contributions to cell function. By considering the unique characteristics of protozoans and the evolution of eukaryotic cells, one may gain insights into the possible roles that a novel organelle might play within a protist's cell structure and life cycle. This knowledge assists in the broader understanding of cell biology and the diversity of life at the microscopic level.